In total agreement with lazy gardner! Main concern is the artificial turf they are on, which they probably have been ingesting which could be the "bumpy" you feel in their crop. Second concern is the "layer" you're feeding them....It's for laying birds, has extra calcium that can be cause damage to the liver/kidney to chicks. From the pictures of your chicks, they would be considered "fully feathered", mine sometime go to the outside brooder alot earlier (bird dust). Enjoy your chicks.
Yes, they are old enough, and well enough feathered that they can and SHOULD be outside. The someone who told you that they would freeze outside, might have been accurate if they were 3 - 4 weeks old. But that statement is not appropriate for chicks that are 6 - 8 weeks old. As for the bumpy crop, it would be hard to assess without being able to palpate. If they have a partial to full crop impaction from the artificial turf, they may or may not be able to pass it. An other issue might be that they could have it building up and blocking further down in their system. You will simply need to keep an eye on them, and see how they do. No amount of grit will fix a blockage from synthetic material.
I live in sunny California and lately it has been about, at the highest, 90-102 for the last couple days. They are not under a heat lamp. I asked my father about tge turf type and he said it is Astroturf. I looked it up and I heard that it is fine for them.
It might be fine unless it's shredded or shedding and they ingest some of it. What are the protein and calcium percentages in the 'lay feed? Do they have digestive granite grit of an appropriate size for their age? http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf Are the 'bumpy' crops emptying fully overnight? Checking crop when they are on the roost at might then in the early morning before they eat or drink will tell you if the crop is properly emptying.
They can easilly go outside and stay there. Its more than warm enough. I thought you would be in Alaska where it's colder. Get them some grit, make sure they're on chick grower and away from the turf. If they have injested it, it could kill them.
Can I just flip the turf to block them from eating it temporarily for a day so I could put their coop in a safe area? I can not go buy something since the nearest currently open pet shop is too far away. Could I just give them corn until I buy new food that is for their age?
It does not state the levels. This morning I checked their crops and they were almost completely empty with very few bumps.
If they can get at the edges of the astroturf, which is where is usually degrades and sheds, then flipping it over is not going to help much. Just take the turf out all together. Probably better to feed the layer for a few more days until you can get a lower calcium feed. Corn is lower in the protein they need to grow. Where are you located, are you in the US? I believe it's the law that nutrient levels and ingredients be listed on livestock feed. Good that their crops are emptying, no way to know what the bumps are....without cutting them open. I learn a lot when I slaughter an old hen for stew and examine their innards.
I am in the US, but all it states are the name of the brand, type of food, and what type to feed to chicks of certain ages.