Chicks outside??

[gander007]

I put my chicks out in the coop last week when they were 6weeks old. No heat lamp or light in coop. I'm in upstate New York and the weather has been decent only getting down to the 50s at night. Took them 3 nights to learn where to go at dusk but all is good. They seem to love it out there.

Alright good job

 

[crazyfeathers]

I have had enough chicks and have got them at different times throughout the year so depending on temperatures is what decides when they go outside. It's warm in Wisconsin now lows in the mid 50's I just put my 3 week old chicks outside permanently and they are doing wonderful, they have shelter from the wind, Sun, and rain. I did not put a heat lamp outside for them, they can cuddle if need be. I guess I just raise tough chicks, don't get me wrong I can be a big softy a few times during cold weather I have put the chicks back in the brooder for warmth but so far so good.

 

[Jewellan]

I have had enough chicks and have got them at different times throughout the year so depending on temperatures is what decides when they go outside. It's warm in Wisconsin now lows in the mid 50's I just put my 3 week old chicks outside permanently and they are doing wonderful, they have shelter from the wind, Sun, and rain. I did not put a heat lamp outside for them, they can cuddle if need be. I guess I just raise tough chicks, don't get me wrong I can be a big softy a few times during cold weather I have put the chicks back in the brooder for warmth but so far so good.

I think I am going to try to put my out next week. They will be 6 weeks old and I no longer have the lamp on at all in the brooder. I have a vacation from work so I can watch them. But I think they will be okay.

 

[Jewellan]

They look pretty feathered out now. So I think they will be fine outside. The night temps do not get below 50. And they are really healthy. I think I am good to go with them.

 

[bobbyesox]

Whew, glad someone finally said 3 weeks. I was getting worried. Our chicks were starting to peck each other in the brooder so I moved them into an outside pen before they did some serious harm to each other. (Of course we immediately started having ferocious thunderstorms to add to my misgivings.) They are 3 weeks and a day...Americaunas...and starting to feather in nicely. They have a cover and a tub to get into, but I'm still worried. I'm in Alabama, highs mid-eighties and lows near 70. Fingers are crossed.

 

[Dragonfly216]

I would keep an eye on them. If they are huddled all together, they are cold. If not, they should be ok. I would worry about them being that young myself. They don't have all their feathers then. But I would think as long as they're not huddled, you're good!

 

[10chickys]

Im in Vermont about 50 at night, I have 6 that are 7 weeks old and 2 that are 4 weeks old and they are all in the coop outside, if I think its to cold ill put the heat lamp on them but they are happy and active the younger ones actually hang out with bigger ones and I monitor the heat,

 

[flowerchicks]

I have 5 chicks that are 5 weeks old. I've been bringing them outside during the day and they're fine. I'm in Paradise, CA and our Temps have been between 60-90 throughout the day. They are way too big to keep inside in their cage 24/7. Oh, I also turned off their heat lamp at the same time so they dont have heat at night anymore. This is how I've raised dozens of babies and they've all turned out fine. I won't, however, leave them out if it looks like rain or if it's not supposed to be a nice warm/hot day.

 

[peeweethechick]

I started letting my chickens outside during the day at 5 weeks and by 8weeks they were in there coop full time!! I think they need to be outside by 8 weeks if not earlier!

 

[snead]

Ours have been in the tractor coop for 3 weeks. They are almost 8 weeks old. Lows got into the upper 40s the first week so I put a heat lamp the coop for a few nights since they were still 4 weeks. Other than that they have been doing well in lows of 60s and 70s without it. They survived for centuries without heat. I'd bet they will do just fine. Stopping the draft in the coop is probably the biggest worry.