Can my chicks go outside.

[jstinsmommy]

Tried to put a pix but I don't think it worked. Oh sorry about that. The sides of the coop and roof are solid but there is about a 4"-6" strip of wire between the walls and the roof for ventilation. Also the back side of the coop is all wire but for right now we have a board covering half of it to keep the wind off them. Then the front with the door is all wire. Very simple but very safe.

 

[jstinsmommy]

I would also like to throw in that this small coop is only to house them until they are big enough to go in with my bigger hens. This way my bigger girls can see them and interact without being able to actually get to them. This coop will actually be for our meat pens hen it's time for those to come.

 

[Quail lover 100]

Yes…but if you can I would try to put a heat lamp in the coop at night.
Good luck!

 

[donrae]

Yes…but if you can I would try to put a heat lamp in the coop at night.
Good luck!

Why?

these birds are fully feathered and can tolerate the cold just fine. They're both cold tolerant breeds. A heat lamp carries the risk of fire. Plus, what happens if the power goes out? Then you have birds that are totally unprepared for the cold weather going into shock because they haven't been properly acclimated. Really, 40degrees is nothing to an animal. They've survived thousands of years without humans heating them.

 

[shmccarthy]

Why?

these birds are fully feathered and can tolerate the cold just fine. They're both cold tolerant breeds. A heat lamp carries the risk of fire. Plus, what happens if the power goes out? Then you have birds that are totally unprepared for the cold weather going into shock because they haven't been properly acclimated. Really, 40degrees is nothing to an animal. They've survived thousands of years without humans heating them.

X2 well said donrae!

 

[jstinsmommy]

They love it! Thanks everyone for the advice.