babies outside

[aafairchild]

Ok, what is the youngest babies can safely go outside if fulltime? Here in control tx lows are mostly in the 60's. These kids are only 16 days old, but seem fine WITH NO heat in the brooder. Temps in the brooder room are in low to mid 70's. I want the Stanky wankers in the pen with my middles but don't want to hurt them. They still don't have full body feathers and it is supposed to rain this week. These are my mutt hatches and they are cute but messy. They would have some cover outside but not a full coop, just a pen with a dog kennel to hide in.

thanks
Alice

 

[Chick Charm]

If no mama hen or heat lamp is available then....fully feathered. 4 weeks most times.

If you can run a heat lamp out there then they can go out now. If you have a mama hen with them then from day one.

I brood outdoors summers from day one with great success. Draft free and warmth equals success.

Wish ya the best.

 

[in2camo]

I wouldn't put them out until they are full feathered. Daytime temps are fine but 60's is kinda low for the little ones, especially without a proper coop and run. Just an opinion.

 

[provencherm1]

I have similar question about when chicks can go outside. We live in western Washington. Daytime highs right now are typically in the high 50s to low 60s. Nighttime lows are typically in the 30s to low 40s, though we did hit 28 just a few nights ago. The chicks are now 8 weeks old and we have a covered coop and run. We also could put a heat lamp in there, either a 75 or 150 watt red light. Think they can handle it?

 

[Chick Charm]

Yes. They could have handled it 4 weeks ago.

Chicks don't need much more than there feathers and a windbreak to thrive.

Wish ya the best.

 

[azygous]

Sorry, Alice. You'd best wait until your chicks have lost the down on their heads and are sporting real feathers instead of fuzz, probably around age four weeks.

While they could manage pretty well on nice days, and huddle together at night for warmth, they would be very vulnerable should a sudden cold front blow in and drop the temperature suddenly. They simply are not equipped to handle those sorts of extremes until fully feathered, especially without a completely enclosed shelter.