Can 3 week old chicks go outside?

[Tstraub]

Hello I’m still pretty new at chickens and I have a batch that I hatched out 3 weeks ago. They are currently in a stock tank in my enclosed back porch/laundry room. They are getting pretty smelly and folding clean laundry in a room that smells like a chicken coop is not working.

I did build a small coop that I planned to use as a grow out pin or isolation pin as needed. The weather here is 80-90 degrees in the day and right around 60 at night.

My choices are move the stock tank out to an unheated garage or move the out to the grow out pin. I do have electric both places so a could put a heat lamp in either place.

The grow out coop would give them more room but they would be less protected from the weather. I’m just not sure what is the safest thing to do. I waited 3 weeks for the eggs to hatch and have raised them for 3 more weeks I would hate to push them out too soon before they are completely feathered out. Pictures attached so you can see their feather development. Breeds include black copper marans, light Brahma, olive egger

 

[sourland]

If the outdoor coop is predator proof, they are ready to go outside.

 

[Theorrin]

whats your temperatures like? i live in the south US and have but day olds outside but only cause our temps are pretty consistent and hot

 

[Tstraub]

whats your temperatures like? i live in the south US and have but day olds outside but only cause our temps are pretty consistent and hot

The 10 day forecast shows nothing higher than 94F or lower than 59F

 

[HenHouse Henry]

They should be ok outside now, one more week would be better, just make sure nothing can get at them. Good Luck and enjoy your new flock.

 

[Theorrin]

The 10 day forecast shows nothing higher than 94F or lower than 59F

you should be fine then. though 59 is a bit cool imo but u can put a heat lamp out if need be

 

[Charlie Wooster]

Put a heat lamp down low in a wind proof corner and they’ll be just fine..

 

[3KillerBs]

Can you get electric to your coop for some nighttime heat? I brood outdoors even in the winter and have had great success with it.

 

[Mrs. K]

I would put them out and not worry about the heat lamp. I would worry a bit more about shade. At this time of year, they are much more likely to get overheated if they cannot get into shade. The more space they have, the stronger and healthier they will be. I introduce mine to the flock at this age.

I set up a safety zone, where there is feed and water inside the run. There is a portable dog crate, that they will instinctively go into ( a card board box will work too) near dark. I put it in the coop for predation SAFTEY.

Day 2-3 - I lift the fence a few inches off the ground, and put a pallet near by just slightly above the ground. Eventually they will explore out into the big girls. They may get a small chase, and can escape back to safety.

In a week they are accepted into the flock. I do keep feeding them in the zone to make sure they get enough.

Mrs K

 

[jpalmatier83]

What does the coop setup look like? Would a heat lamp in there be safe? Heat lamps in the small prefab size coops make me nervous.

Depending on the answer I would say one week in the garage with a lamp. Then, depending on weather, out to the coop without the lamp.