can 5 week old chicks go outside?

[CarolinaKid 8]

We have 5 -5weeks old today rir chicks.The weather at night is low 40s and 50s at night .Will they be ok to go outside now ,they are getting really messy these days... thanks

 

[allcrackedup]

you should wait at least 8

 

[zazouse]

I put mine out as soon as they hatch and leave a heat lamp on for them in the area i feed them in , they can enter this area but the big birds can't

 

[NonnasBabies]

My 5 week olds are outside! I have 2 week olds outside... I just put lamps on for them at night and their fine!!

 

[Suechick]

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as long as they have a heat source. they will snuggle too. If you can control the temp so you can set it at 70 and then drop it 5 degrees each week you should be able to wean them from the heat in a month.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I raise mine in the brooder in the coop. I keep one area in the recommended temperature range but let the rest of the brooder cool down quite a bit more, as much as 20 to 30 degrees. By 4 to 5 weeks old, mine are fully feathered out. I remove the supplemental heat and take them out of the brooder to where they have more room.

If you really, really, truly want to, you can keep them in the house until they are 8 weeks old, but you don't have to. If you can give them a predator proof area that blocks all breezes so they are not in a draft and give them some bedding like straw or wood shavings they can cuddle down in, they should be fine at those temperatures.

 

[CarolinaKid 8]

Thanks to all your advice...Those lil ones are going out with a heat source,,,,thanks BYC folks///

 

[featherz]

Mine went outside with no heat at about 6 weeks. It's been in the *teens* here at night and they are fine.

They are even roosting!

 

[blue_egg_lover]

I like the picture of the chicks with dog. It's cute.

 

[hickchick55]

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