Can they be outside for too long while it's nice out?

[exbiologist]

Today was about 70 degrees here in Colorado. Can the chicks be outside for too long? Mine are mostly pushing 3 weeks old. Is there a chance that they will fill up on lower quality foods that will stunt their growth or that their bodies can't digest yet? When I hand feed them after they've been out, they get all excited at first from my little "chick, chick, chick" call, but only a handful of them really get excited about the treat. Normally, they go nuts and devour whatever I offer them if they've been confined all day.

 

[teach1rusl]

As long as they are running around and not acting cold, let them enjoy the sun! I hope that you'll salt their feed with fine grit though, in case they get some green stuff down the hatch...

 

[exbiologist]

You don't think they'd pick up their own grit while on the lawn?

 

[teach1rusl]

Probably not at 3 weeks...personally I wouldn't risk it. You can get parakeet grit from any pet store.

 

[exbiologist]

Well, this is probably the 3rd time in a week I've had them out and I am quite certain they've all been eating grass and forbs in the lawn.
I wouldn't know whether or not they are back up, but I haven't noticed anything wrong with them yet either. How else would I know if there's anything wrong with them after this?

 

[cuckoo_orpington13]

You'll know when a chicken is having a problem. They won't act thrifty and will generally just not look healthy. Also look for diarrhea or strange breathing.
If your chicks seem fine, I'm sure they are.

 

[slackwater]

I dunno...I never worried about sticking mine outside as long as they didn't get cold. Nothing bad ever came of anything they ate while scratching around.