At what age and temp for 1st field trip?

[1stflockMama]

Hi everyone! We have the run set up and we're wondering can the girls take their first field trip yet?
They are 19 days old and it's in the low 80s

 

[Logar]

They were ready 2 weeks ago. They are actually probably ready to be going out full time soon depending on your night time temperature. And you do know pictures are required by law, right?

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Slowly going outside for longer periods of time at two weeks and all day outside but indoors at night at 4 weeks and fully outside as long as it’s not below 60 at 6 weeks and as long as it’s not freezing full time outside at 8 weeks

 

[Ridgerunner]

This is more about your confidence and acceptance than what they are ready for. If they are too hot they should stand around with their little wings spread and panting. If they are too cold they may or may not huddle but they will fluff up and give a plaintive peeping that you can tell something is wrong. If they are comfortable they will probably play. Trust what you see more than what any of us tell you that you will see.

How do you plan to catch them and bring them inside after playtime is over if they don't want to come? They can be really quick trying to avoid you.

Chicks are usually fully feathered at 4 to 5 weeks of age so yours still have a couple of weeks to go. Many people are surprised at how well fairly young chicks can handle cooler temperatures but until they are fully feathered you do have to pay attention. But at 80 degrees they should be able to stay out there indefinitely. But trust yourself and what you see.

 

[TwoCrows]

I have always taken mine out daily starting in their first week of life as long as its sunny and above 50 degrees. Short trips if its in the 50s, longer if its in the 70s or more. I usually start with the coop before I let them be outside. This not only keeps them safe but gets them acclimated to the coop as a permanent home. At week 2 I get them out in the run and out on grass. If you get them out in the open outside, never leave them unattended. They can disappear or get taken by a predator. Enjoy your babies!

 

[DragonflyAcres]

The biggest problem is definitely catching them and getting them back in again. I have chicks being raised by a hen and they have definitely been outside running around all the time in temperatures below the "recommended" temps. Those temperatures are not rules written by mother nature! When mama hen is there, they can just go under her wings whenever they get cold, but they have hardly needed to after the first week.... except at night!

 

[1stflockMama]

They were ready 2 weeks ago. They are actually probably ready to be going out full time soon depending on your night time temperature. And you do know pictures are required by law, right?

 

[1stflockMama]

They were ready 2 weeks ago. They are actually probably ready to be going out full time soon depending on your night time temperature. And you do know pictures are required by law, right?

 

[1stflockMama]

This is more about your confidence and acceptance than what they are ready for. If they are too hot they should stand around with their little wings spread and panting. If they are too cold they may or may not huddle but they will fluff up and give a plaintive peeping that you can tell something is wrong. If they are comfortable they will probably play. Trust what you see more than what any of us tell you that you will see.

How do you plan to catch them and bring them inside after playtime is over if they don't want to come? They can be really quick trying to avoid you.

Chicks are usually fully feathered at 4 to 5 weeks of age so yours still have a couple of weeks to go. Many people are surprised at how well fairly young chicks can handle cooler temperatures but until they are fully feathered you do have to pay attention. But at 80 degrees they should be able to stay out there indefinitely. But trust yourself and what you see.

They did great! We took some treats and they LOVED running and foraging! They even hopped up on my son then they came back when it was time to go.

 

[TwoCrows]

They did great! We took some treats and they LOVED running and foraging! They even hopped up on my son then they came back when it was time to go.

Adorable photos, great job with the field trip!