Babies outside?

[Nigellas]

I've got 4 two-week old babies - I was hoping to move their living quarters outside in a week or two - Not into the big coop with the grownups, but to something smaller that I'm going to throw together. It's still pretty cold in Michigan - We're going back and forth between days with snow and other with sun - Nighttime temps are in the 30s. If I provided a light, is it still too cold for them outside? Should I instead make a larger brooder for them to hang out in my basement? They will definitely be outgrowing the fish tank they are in currently, so I'll need to do something...

Thanks for your advice.

 

[dianaross77]

I'm not far from you and I wouldn't put mine outside. It's still pretty cold and I'd worry that you'd get them out there and we'd get another cold snap. It's a pain having them in the house, I know other people brood outside. Hopefully someone will have some suggestions for you soon.

 

[write2caroline]

My husband built me a pallet coop for my babies when they were two weeks old. I closed off one of the 3 doors and covered it with wire so I could open it and close it. My chicks loved it and I was surprised how fast they learned to roost on the higher bars. Now it is a regular coop, I left the wire and added a nest box. 5 of the girls sleep there still and the others moved into the "Big house" Another bigger coop.

I forgot to mention the materials were FREE and he got the Pallets FREE and it was not hard and even the paint was FREE!!!!
Caroline