Can I put my chicks out during the day?

[CibolaChooks]

Our coop is in front of the hutch This is how I let our birds out, by opening the flap to let the sun {when it shines} into the hutch. The coop is insulated and enclosed with a door into the hutch and the hutch is more for outdoors but completely closed in against the snow, wind, rain and other elements that could cause problems with my birds. To let birds outdoors at any time, they need to be fully feathered! If they are not, they could sicken and die. I never let my birds out in wet or snowy conditions for fear of frostbite. Black crown on roo is dead, frostbitten tissue that has to be cut off to prevent the frostbite from reaching his head. Frostbitten feet... These toes have to be cut off due to severe frostbite. How is this chicken going to walk? Never put your birds, at any age, in the snow or wet conditions. The hutch I have above is well enclosed so no wind, rain or snow can get in. Even though its tarped and not insulated against cold, I have a thick layer of straw on the hutch floor that is kept dry. While the coop is insulated, strawed and has a bulb for light and a little heat.

HAD TO BE CUT OFF. WHAT THE. ive had roosters get their combs frostbite. Frostbite does not spread to their heads. You can put stuff like neosporin to help heal. or Vaseline like Kwhit suggested to keep moisture out and further frostbite. But the tips of the comb will fall off on there own. Frostbite is painfull i cant amagine hurting them more by cutting the tips off.

 

[birdbrain99]

I defenetly recomend to let them out so they can explore and become more independent

 

[3bantys]

I let my chicks out everyday so the could get use to new surroundings and temperatures from about 3-4 weeks old during the day it defiantly built their confidence and was easier to adjust for them when they started going outside for nights as well . So I defiantly recommend letting them out during the day but start off with them in a small area and then when they seem more comfortable you can let them free range ( also the chicks can get use to people more with starting with a small pen / run )

 

[blackwpk]

Hello, everyone! I have 4 7wk old chicks that have pretty much feathered out. We live in NW Oregon, where it has started to rain for the season. It has been in the 60's (so far) during the day, and in the 50's to upper 40's at night. Our girls are in their own coop and have been since we got them at 4wks old. Right now I have the coop lighted and have a heat lamp on for a while and off for a while, mainly at night. I worry about them getting cold with it being rainy and cool out. The coop is dry, but with upper ventilation. I will be putting netting over the biggest part of their run, hopefully next week (weather permitting).

My question is: when it's not raining out, should I leave their hatch door open for them to come out, as long as I have good protection overhead, not necessarily a cover from rain? So far they aren't too receptive to going outside and they know where to roost now, that is why I haven't had them out yet, I've been coop training. I'm VERY new at this so any help you can give me would be wonderful!!

Thanks!
Pam

 

[kwhit]

Let them go out on their own. They will venture out when they feel comfortable. They will move further
away eventually. Although they are 7 weeks I wouldn't let them be out on their own with out supervision
as they are still immature. Scatter some scratch near their pen door. Move the scattered scratch a little further away.
I'm pretty sure once they discover the grass and bugs they will be ok. I waited until the end of the day
an hour or two before dusk to let them out. That way they wouldn't stray too far in the beginning.

Not sure how much space you are giving them to roam. Beware of cats and dogs in the neighborhood.
Hawks are a concern at this age. Fox, coons too. Sometimes possums.
Especially around dense bushes and under brush.

 

[blackwpk]

Yes, I would definitely be supervising. I want to start with a smaller area as they come out, then let them into the bigger area when they get older. I plan on clipping their wings next week, then putting them into their Peck n' Play covered area, to let them discover things a little before getting them back to the coop. Thank you for your suggestion, I will try that the next good day, whenever that will be! LOL! Right now I am weaning them off of the heat lamp slowly but surely.