Can my babies go out yet?

[happyhens]

Ok, I have 32 nasty messy chicks in my basement, and they STINK. I am trying to keep their brooder clean, but they are outgrowing it quickly and very soon after cleaning it is stinking again

. The brooder outside is almost double the size of what they are in now, so... can they go out yet? They were hatched April 4-6, so they are about a month old. Temps here are going to be between 60's* and 80's*F during the day for the next 10 days, and down into upper 40's and lower 50's at night. They will be in a dry barn, but with no electricity so we can't have a heat lamp. What do you guys think? I know its a little early, but there are so many of them I thought they might generate enough body heat to keep each other warm?

 

[TXmom]

Mine are 6 weeks old today, and they are outside full time now...day and night for the past 4 nights. It's a bit warmer here, I would think 40's at night would be too cool at 4 weeks. I started with just letting them outside during the day, and bringing them back inside for the night while temps were cool. You could try that...or if the barn they're staying in is fairly warm at night then you could leave them out.

 

[farmgirls]

We have 5 wk olds and they have been in the coop for about 11/2 wks. We first put a heat light out with them but they do not need it anymore. However, there were a few nights of freezing weather. Now, similar temps here in Central NY. I am new to this but that is what we did and they are doing really well especially since we enlarged their run area. Wow, we have 14 I can't imagine 32. Good luck. This is a great forum for any kind of questions about chickens. I have learned so much already!

 

[kyeschicks]

I know what I did was wrong, but they had to be moved outside at 2 1/2 weeks old otherwise they wouldn't be here right now. They STINK! wow the bad part was that they were in my room. Anyway, 18 chicks went outside about 2 weeks ago and the temps. were the same like the ones you just mentioned. As of right now they're safe and healthy

they huddle up at night and they do ok. So I would say you can move them outside

Just my opinion. Btw, they're bantams.

 

[lemurchaser]

At minimum put them outside during the day and bring them in at night. I don't know I'd leave 4 week olds out in temps that low (at night), but they'd be fine during the day. Another week or so and they'd be fine at night.

 

[kelliepulido]

mine are all out 37 babies,in the coop at night temp was in the low 50's everybody is fine,no light this weekend it will get an overnight low in the low 30s so i will turn on the heat lamp.A broody mama had them out on the second day outside all day long highs in the 50's and windy i moved the rest out at 1.5weeks.

 

[happyhens]

Ok thanks! I'll try to deal with it for another few days just to be on the safe side. Ugh I just wish they weren't so stinky lol!

 

[hearthnsoul]

Mine have been out since birth, first week hen sat on them in brooder,..by second week they all look like road kill spilled out under the heat lamp while the hen roosts on top of brooderat night during they day,..always outside with the mother thanks to my husband, but hey if it works it works. I say let the games begin and reclaim your house

 

[Tala]

I have them outside very early, about a week old, but they do get a heat lamp. I string extension cords across my back yard almost year round (hoping to run "real" electric this spring, ya know, conduit underground!!!!)
However, I had some 4 week olds that refused to go in their coop and they stayed out huddled in a pile on the ground in the RAIN and they are all healthy today so I think they do OK, although I wouldn't recommend leaving them out in the rain on purpose

The way I figure, if you have 20+ chicks in a small brooder area that is dry, then they are probably going to keep warm at least as well as they do as day-olds being shipped

 

[MotherJean]

Maybe I'm all wet here, but I'm thinking the poo might be less stinky if the kids were limited to just chick crumbles - no "treats" - until they're ready to go outside.