Chicks won't go outside

[sphillips]

I have 6 (I think Leghorns) that are just about fully feathered out, and about 5-6 weeks old. They have been out of their brooder, and free in the coop for about 3 weeks now. This last weekend we finished their outside run, and I've been opening the door for them to go outside during the day (It's been in the high 70's here) , but they don't want to go out. When the door is open, they hide behind their tub brooder, and don't move around much. Should I just keep the door shut for now, or give them the opportunity to go out if they want? I am shutting them in at night. They are also perching at night now in the coop, but I'm still putting their heat lamp on for them at night. It's getting down into the 40's, and I'm not sure they need it still. Should I turn that off now, or just leave it for them if they want it? Don't want to push them to 'grow up' too fast!

 

[1cityslicker]

Last year we left the light on them for a couple of weeks out in the coop but realized they don't need it and will need to adjust. They'll be fine. Is their coop free of drafts? Leave the door open during the day. They'll figure it out

 

[EGHiggins]

On the heat lamp, it's fine to turn it off. Leghorns are a relatively hardy breed. Once it hits 32 or less, consider turning it on again. I had a variety of chicken breeds and I often wouldn't turn it on till it hit the 20s.
Is your run covered? Maybe a little shade would encourage them to go outside. Also, the cover may make them feel safer from hawks and other birds of prey. For now though, leave the door open for them during the day. When they decide to go outside, they will. I suppose you could always lock them out of the coop for the day but that might be a bit scary for them.
I hope this helped!

 

[sphillips]

Thanks for the replies! The outdoor run is partially covered for shade on both sides of the top, and has a strip of chicken wire down the center of the roof. The sides are all open, covered with chicken wire. I do think they are just being 'chicken', as they seem to be a bit flighty, even with me still at this stage. I think if I remember correctly, this is normal for this breed. The temps at night range sometimes by 20 degrees, so I will watch the weather reports, and shut the light off if it's not going to get too cold. The coop can get a bit drafty some days depending on which way the wind is blowing. The main door faces east, we have a regular door, and screen door on that side, I leave the main door open during the day for fresh air. The coop door is on the back wall on the west. So, if we have winds from the west, it can blow in a bit, especially with the 50 mph winds we've been having lately! We still have work to do for ventilation at the roof level, but the roof is metal, so it gets plenty warm during the day already. Insulating the roof is also on our list to do!