Chicks moving to a coop

[stacey52783]

I'm in north texas..its been a high of 85 lately. My chicks are around 6 weeks old, but they seem older. They are already able to get out of the tall box I'm keeping them in. When can I move them to a coop? as long as there is a lamp, can they be outside? THey seem ready. Thanks! the box is about 2 1/2 feet high.. I cant think of anything taller to put them in inside !

 

[waterbrat]

I have been debating the same thing. It is 85 here. Currently they are out in the coop

 

[stacey52783]

IM thinking I'll let them be outside diring the day and move them to the inside box at night for a little while unless 50s and 60s is an okay temp at night

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

If they are fully feathered even on the head (usually happens about 6 weeks of age) they can go to the coop. When I raise chicks in wintertime I prolong the heat for several weeks as they don't have meat on their bones yet at that age. But your nighttime temps are not very low. If their coop is such that they are out of the wind I think they will be fine in there without any heat.

If your coop is drafty and more hutch-like then I would maybe give them a bit more cover somehow like drape a blanket or tarp over it (leaving room to breathe of course).

I sometimes brood chicks out in the coop for the whole time as long as I can keep the temps under the light just perfect. It depends on how cold it is.