Can I put my chicks out for a bit?

[PearlaMae123]

I want to get my 4.5 week old EE chicks used to being outside. They haven’t had any real outside experience yet and I don’t want them to be too freaked out when we move them. It’s 60 degrees and sunny today, is that ok? I was thinking of putting them on the grass under an upside-down laundry basket. They could have holes to see, but the big chickens couldn’t get to them.
Thanks

 

[ATeacherChick]

Have you progressively been reducing the heat inside the brooder? If they have gotten down to around 70-75 degrees inside, a little bit of time outside shouldn't hurt. But to switch them from a 90 degree brooder to 60 degrees in an unfamiliar environment would shock them a bit more than is best.

 

[PearlaMae123]

Have you progressively been reducing the heat inside the brooder? If they have gotten down to around 70-75 degrees inside, a little bit of time outside shouldn't hurt. But to switch them from a 90 degree brooder to 60 degrees in an unfamiliar environment would shock them a bit more than is best.

They’ve been in a 75-80 brooder

 

[chuckachucka]

They should be fine for a little while. I always say get them outside as early as possible, the exposure to the germs in soil etc is good for their immune systems. The laundry basket sounds like a good idea.

 

[chuckachucka]

I should add that I base this on the fact that my broody hens always want to take their chicks out of the nest by around a week old, so it can't be bad for them.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

How warm is it by you? If it's in the brooder temperatures, they can stay out for a while. Otherwise just don't go over 45 minutes.

 

[gator75]

I put my almost 4 wk old chicks outside permanently with no heat starting this morning. Temp 60-75. If they have feathers, how can they be too cold? They haven't had the heat lamp for a couple days in preparation and have been outside for most of the day the last few days. I started taking them outside at about 10 days old. I think chickens are pretty hardy animals.