Can my chicks go outside?

[willowbranchfarm]

My chicks are two weeks old, can they go outside for just a short time? Do they still have to be worm when there outside? How long can they be outside? Thanks.

 

[GoldDogsMom]

what is the temp in your brooder compared to outside?

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Like 10-15 degrees difference

 

[GoldDogsMom]

they might be a little young for that much difference. If your ground is as wet as it is here, the cold wet wouldn't be good for them...if you have a dry sunny spot maybe a short trip...but is it worth the risk of them getting chilled?

 

[willowbranchfarm]

It's sunny and 71 degrees but I'm not gonna take the risk of my chicks getting sick. Thanks for your help

 

[goldies99]

better keep the baby peeps warm!...i only took mine out on a hot sunny day for 10 minutes or so when they were that young...
and they peeped like crazy till i took them back in!!!

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Yeah I'll wait. But what age is it ok for them to go outside?

 

[GoldDogsMom]

My girls are 5 weeks old/mostly feathered and I am moving them out to their new coop today.

It is still about 60 in the coop right now so I plugged a heat lamp in to get it up to 65. Then tonight try and drop the temp to around 55 (nights in the house their brooder was at 60) then gradually wean them off the heat lamp in the next couple of weeks.

Temp here for the next few days will be warm in the day but still cold at night, I don't think they are not ready for the 40 degree nights yet.

It has been cold here so they didn't get any daytrips outside, usually safe once they have their wing and back feathers...

Hope this helps...

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Thanks it does, my chicks have some wing feathers but thats all.