Can I put my chicks out during the day?

[navella]

I just put mine outside for the first time today with the temp. at 75 for the day in the run. they seem to be having fun. I'll bring them in tonight though because it will get down to 40's.Being just 4 weeks I'm not sure they can handle the cold yet. I'm new at this though so I 'm just sharing my thoughts.

 

[JulieChilders]

We have been keeping out chicks outside since they were about four weeks old. At first we brought them in at night and then we moved them to the tractor that our other chickens had been living in. Now they stay outside all the time and it has been great for them. They are now six weeks old and thriving outside. We have had some pretty inconsistent temperatures also including freezing temps at night, but so far they huddle up in the coop and are fine. I think they have done better since we put thme outside and I know they all seem much happier.

 

[FarmerMama7]

We're in Michigan, still pretty cold most days and into the 30s a lot of nights. We let our 6 week old chicks run around the yard when we're outside playing, and bring them back in when we're done. I figure on the chilly days, if my kids are too cold and ready to go in, the chicks are cold too!

 

[Egg Yolk]

I have two 5-6 week old Austrolorps and a 3 week old Turkey that are just fine in the coop with a heat lamp on all night and they also have each other for warmth.

 

[Mikokoke]

My chicks are now 5 and 4 weeks old. We've had them since they were 1 and 2 weeks of age. Since we are in Scottsdale, AZ, I've always had them outside during the day and for the first 10 days, they would come inside over night. On extra windy days, we would protect the coop with a tarp wrapped around it. And on cooler days/nights, we brought in a portable radiator that we turn on low, should the chicks need extra warmth. Worked great! They are happy and healthy chicks that are growing like crazy. I let them free range in the evenings for about an hour each day. We also feed them lettuce from the garden, strawberry tops and peelings (cucumber and carrots). Never heard them complain.

 

[Mikokoke]

We have been keeping out chicks outside since they were about four weeks old.  At first we brought them in at night and then we moved them to the tractor that our other chickens had been living in.  Now they stay outside all the time and it has been great for them.  They are now six weeks old and thriving outside.  We have had some pretty inconsistent temperatures also including freezing temps at night, but so far they huddle up in the coop and are fine.  I think they have done better since we put thme outside and I know they all seem much happier.

Sounds just like what we have done. We never really had a brooder set up for them, just a plastic storage bin and my husband drilled holes in the lid for ventilation. They were happy over night huddled in a little pile and eager to get out in the morning. Who can blame them?

 

[Wolf3080]

I live in Eastern Ohio, my chicks have been outside since 2 1/2 weeks old. I have kept a heat lamp on but now that they are 4 weeks I need to take it down. Yesterday morning we had a pretty heavy frost and at 6:45 am they were out of the coop and in their run. I guess it is not too cold for them anymore.

 

[kkowa]

I have been putting mine outside from week one though I do put the heat lamp out with them even if it is sunny just incase they get cold they really enjoy it and most the time they don't even go by the heat lamp they are in a pen with a screen on it also though

 

[CibolaChooks]

my 4 and 5 week olds have been outside for the last week. its been getting into the high 30s and low 40s at night. they also seem totally fine and enjoy it. I dont use a heat lamp at night but they can get away from the wind inside the coup. This thread really helped me to trust mine going out. 40 more are on their last week inside.

 

[christier]

I have ISA Browns that are 6 weeks old. I think they are fully feathered. They are getting too big for the dog cage they were growing up in. I put them in an exercise yard in my basement so they can stretch their wings. The problem is they are getting comfortable and can fly OUT of the exercise yard, so now they just walk all around the basement whenever they please. I know I should put a board on the top of the exercise yard to keep them in.

Anyway......I was wondering if they are old enough to go outside in their coop/run during the day. It is only 60 degrees out during the day in chilly Ohio right now. Is that too cold for them? I don't mind bringing them in at night. I just feel bad that they are getting big and really want to run around. I have already put them outside when it is 70 or warmer, but this weather is NOT getting up to 70 again anytime soon. Me and these chickens are getting impatient.

I know it's hard to trust that the'll be ok , but they will... I made the transition with a heat lamp for a few days while we dipped into the 40's then I just didn't and of course had to check on them several times... They were fine all sitting on each other keeping warm