chicks are 7 weeks

katie1115

In the Brooder
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I have 2, 7 weeks old chicks, I would like to put outside .. I do not have the brooder light on any longer. I am in Michigan, and we are still getting some pretty cold nights. Once I put them out I don't think I will be able to catch them to bring them back in .. they appear to be fully feathered
 
I have a run and a box about the size of a dog kennel that has a duck in it, the duck is about 2 weeks older, it is directly next to my other chickens so they can get used to eachother
 
I think you’re fine. When I’ve put chicks outside in colder weather, there have been times I would still bring them back inside at night. When I couldn’t catch them easily anymore, that has always been the end of that.

I would watch for interactions with the young duck to make sure that introduction goes okay, but with all such young animals, and only three involved, hopefully it will be fine. I don’t think the temperature will be an issue, except ... can the box be closed? Sometimes I find chickens hesitate to enter a dark, enclosed space (even my 10’x10’ walk in coop) if they cannot see inside. Since it’s also the duck’s territory already, they may not want to enter and try to roost on top or elsewhere. You may need to put them in and shut them in for a few nights, if that’s possible. Or you could wait and choose some slightly milder weather to put them outdoors. Mine go outdoors at 7-10 days and lose access to heat around five weeks.
 
I would say you are more than okay. We have a 4 week old Brahma out with my Australorps with no heat. They are being pretty polite with her, but she's definitely at the bottom of the pecking order. She'll have some company soon, though. We have a week old buff orpington in the brooder (in the coop) with 5 new ducklings.
It's funny... We have 4 ducks that think they're chickens, now I believe we will have one chicken that thinks she's a duck!
I'm also in Michigan... If it were two weeks ago, it might be a different story!
 
thank you so much for your reply's, and as for closing the door to the box ... the duck seems to go to bed much later than the chickens.. much later than I do too lol
 
thank you so much for your reply's, and as for closing the door to the box ... the duck seems to go to bed much later than the chickens.. much later than I do too lol
You probably already have experience with this, but my chicks at that age are like kids breaking curfew. They never want to go in at dark. La de da, let’s dance in the run until something eats us! lol
 

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