cedar?

[clumberfam]

We are new to chickens and have 8 chicks who are now 6 weeks old. Currently they're on pine shavings with a few handfuls of cedar shavings thrown in (to keep smell down and I read somewhere that they deter mites). Their area is clean, dry, and well ventilated, being the other half of our 'pea palace'. the entire thing is 8 x 12. Chicken area is separated permanently from the peas of course, and their run is separate too but now I'm not sure about putting the cedar in there. Have a friend who uses hay as bedding, but they don't clean much, at all.
Chicks are eating well, running around and just enjoying life for now. In another week or so we'll open up to the outdoors so they can play outside. Nights have been cool (50s) but they have heat in the form of a lamp fixed about halfway up the wall so they can either be near it or get away. Is it too cool for them to be out now during the day? One still has a bit of fluff around her head but the others seem fully feathered.
Thanks for any advice to a chicken newbie. Have been tempted for years but finally took the plunge at TSC.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
They are fully feathered and do not need the heat lamp.
Avoid aromatic cedar. It is not good for chickens.
Let them out now. They can start going outside immediately as hatchlings. They just need a warm place to run back to when they get chilled.
They don't need that once they are 6 weeks old.

 

[clumberfam]

oh ok. Thanks. I was afraid to let them out yet - didn't know how old they needed to be. I'm sure they'll love being outside! for now I'm taking different things inside to interest them - a mirror, a box with grass and leaves in it, a tomato! (they had no idea what to do with that!). Thinking they get bored being inside all the time.

 

[swampfox440]

Hi , Welcome to BYC ! Good luck with your chicks .

 

[416bigbore]

Hello and welcome to BYC, You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members, who are more then willing to jump in and help you along your journey with any questions you may have.

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard Chickens, you are very welcome here.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some links that may be helpful:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Space requirements
• “How to...” guides
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[N F C]

Thanks for joining us!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hello again!

 

[janiedoe]

Good morning, welcome to BYC!