Chickens going outside

[ChickenGirl18]

Hi guys. I have 6 chicks that are about 5 weeks old, 2 Sussex, 1 brahma, 1 brabanter, 1 Red Star, and 1 Wyandotte. Where I live, it currently gets in the upper 30s at night, and roughly high 50s to low 60s during the day. About how much longer should I keep them in the brooder? Thank You!

 

[1muttsfan]

until your chicks are fully feathered, usually at 6 weeks of age or older sometimes, they will need some supplemental heat. However you can start weaning them off of the heat now, turning the heat source off during the day when it's warmer, and allowing them some at night when it gets colder.

 

[ChickenGirl18]

until your chicks are fully feathered, usually at 6 weeks of age or older sometimes, they will need some supplemental heat. However you can start weaning them off of the heat now, turning the heat source off during the day when it's warmer, and allowing them some at night when it gets colder.

Thank so much!! I'll probably put them out May 1 or so. Also going to start weaning them.

 

[azygous]

They don't have to spend all their time under a heat lamp. They aren't hamburger patties.

They would be thrilled to get a field trip outdoors for a romp. Choose a morning that is sunny and calm. I usually transport my chicks outside using a pet crate. I set the crate on the ground and open the door and let them poke their heads out. Soon a brave one will step out and the rest will follow.

They may even test their wings and you'll be surprised to see they can really fly! You'll know they are getting chilled when they all crawl back into the carrier and huddle together.

If you're nervous about not being able to gather them back up when it comes time to go in, teach them to come to you by offering treats from a specific carton or jar. When they see the carton, they will automatically come running for the treat they've learned is inside. This will continue to work, even as they get older.

 

[prostar]

They don't have to spend all their time under a heat lamp. They aren't hamburger patties.

They would be thrilled to get a field trip outdoors for a romp. Choose a morning that is sunny and calm. I usually transport my chicks outside using a pet crate. I set the crate on the ground and open the door and let them poke their heads out. Soon a brave one will step out and the rest will follow.

They may even test their wings and you'll be surprised to see they can really fly! You'll know they are getting chilled when they all crawl back into the carrier and huddle together.

If you're nervous about not being able to gather them back up when it comes time to go in, teach them to come to you by offering treats from a specific carton or jar. When they see the carton, they will automatically come running for the treat they've learned is inside. This will continue to work, even as they get older.

I am stealing the treat jar idea. Here's hoping I can get my girls to notice!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I am stealing the treat jar idea. Here's hoping I can get my girls to notice!

To get their attention teach them to associate an audible cue with the jar and the treats - either a verbal call from you or the noise from a rattle can, etc. I use an empty water bottle with a handful of grit in it - makes a whole lot of noise and chickens come form every direction as fast as they can to get to me when they hear me so much as pick it up, let alone actually shake it. I like the shaker bottle because it's a universal sound no matter who is shaking it whereas the verbal calls are not quite so consistent from one person to the next who may want/need to gather the birds.

 

[ChickenGirl18]

They don't have to spend all their time under a heat lamp. They aren't hamburger patties.

They would be thrilled to get a field trip outdoors for a romp. Choose a morning that is sunny and calm. I usually transport my chicks outside using a pet crate. I set the crate on the ground and open the door and let them poke their heads out. Soon a brave one will step out and the rest will follow.

They may even test their wings and you'll be surprised to see they can really fly! You'll know they are getting chilled when they all crawl back into the carrier and huddle together.

If you're nervous about not being able to gather them back up when it comes time to go in, teach them to come to you by offering treats from a specific carton or jar. When they see the carton, they will automatically come running for the treat they've learned is inside. This will continue to work, even as they get older.

Thank so much for the advice! I've been bringing the chicks outside for quite a while and some even fly 4 ft high or so!

 

[Bonwon]

I have four chicks, 3 weeks old, and I am raising them in central Florida (90s daytime, 70 nighttime). They are weaned off the heat lamp. I bought a prefab coop with nice indoor area and brood box. How early can I move them outside? I was thinking of keeping them in the coop until they were about 5-6 weeks old and then letting them out into the run at that point. Is that reasonable?

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi bonwon, and welcome to BYC

Until fully feathered you need to be careful of cooler temps. If chicks get too cold they can pile up, and sometimes when that happens one will get smothered. Chicks at 3 weeks of age need about 70-80 degrees, so they may be OK, as long as they are in a draft-free area. Obviously your daytime temps are fine.

Here is a very good article from the Learning Center

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens

 

[Guernica]

To get their attention teach them to associate an audible cue with the jar and the treats - either a verbal call from you or the noise from a rattle can, etc. I use an empty water bottle with a handful of grit in it - makes a whole lot of noise and chickens come form every direction as fast as they can to get to me when they hear me so much as pick it up, let alone actually shake it. I like the shaker bottle because it's a universal sound no matter who is shaking it whereas the verbal calls are not quite so consistent from one person to the next who may want/need to gather the birds.

This is genius. Thanks SO much!!