Are they ready to go in the coop?

[Sulteric]

I have six little rhode island red chicks. They are about 6 weeks old and look like they have all their feathers. The weather here in New England has been whacked (the year without a summer). The temps at night are in the mid to upper 50s.

Is it okay to bring them out to their permanent home or should I wait?

 

[raimnel]

Tell me about the weather, it's the same in Wisconsin. It's gotta be global warming

( the smilie is to be rolling his eyes) Any ways I was wondering the same thing as to when they can go outside. Sorry no answer here just had to comment on the dumb weather.

 

[ROC4K]

Once they are feathered out you are pretty safe to put them out. The coop temps will be somewhat higher than night time lows depending on thermal mass and ventilation. I have had chicks outside in an a-frame covered with a tarp since Easter. The wild birds here help me gauge livability for the flock.

I'm an hour north of GB. Zone 4

 

[sherrydeanne]

Yep, they'll be fine. I have some youngins (now about 8 weeks) that have been outside for several weeks now.

 

[telepiste]

I'm in the same boat-will they need a light in the coop, or do I need to gradually remove the light in the brooder box?

Thanks!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Yep - they can go out. I put mine out at 6 wks beginning of April. I did use a heat lamp at night until the night time temps reached 50'.

Make sure you leave them locked up in the coop for a few days to a week or so. That way they will most likely go in and out of the coop on their own.

Mine were in the coop for two weeks while I completed the run. When it was time to go out, they went right out and back in when dark on their own and without fear.

I took their brooder out with them (HUGE stock tank) and they did sleep in that for about a month before they started using the roost.

Best of luck with your little ones.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
How old are your chicks and where are you located? What are your outside temps. like and is your coop draft free?

 

[telepiste]

The chicks are 6 weeks old and I live in the Colorado plains-lows are in the 60s at night. The coop is well built, but it is well ventilated so the temps inside will be the same as out.

Thanks!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
In your position I would start weaning them off the light now and move them to the coop in a few days to a week.

 

[silkiechicken]

Wean them from light and they will be fine. Kicked mine out at a few days old and took their heat when it was still getting into the mid 40's at night. They do have a cozy grow out tractor thing though and it is warmer in their hutch than ambient when there is a dozen in there.