Cream Legbar Chicks

[kattabelly]

I'm a first timer raising chicks, and I was always told and read that they need to be fully feathers before they can go outside. Although its been in the 70s, and into the mid 80 here is NW Florida. Is there something that I'm missing?

They should be fully feathered much earlier than three months old, and even that is really only necessary if you can't/won't provide either some kind of heat source for them to use if necessary or (for larger groups and/or slightly older chicks) a well-insulated box for them to huddle in to warm up.

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

They should be fully feathered much earlier than three months old, and even that is really only necessary if you can't/won't provide either some kind of heat source for them to use if necessary or (for larger groups and/or slightly older chicks) a well-insulated box for them to huddle in to warm up.

Oh okay, so if I get day old chicks, I keep them inside until fully feathered, and then around 2 months I can put them in the chicken run, separated but then do I still bring them in at night. I nighttime lows are between 52 and 60. I don't have electric out by the chicken coop or run; though we are planning on it soon.

 

[kattabelly]

Oh okay, so if I get day old chicks, I keep them inside until fully feathered, and then around 2 months I can put them in the chicken run, separated but then do I still bring them in at night. I nighttime lows are between 52 and 60. I don't have electric out by the chicken coop or run; though we are planning on it soon.

Personally I'd have no problem with four week old chicks being off heat and outdoors full time in those temperatures, so long as they were able to stay out of the wind and rain and there were more than a few of them to snuggle together and stay warm. Other people might be a bit more cautious but they should definitely be fine to be out full-time by six weeks old if you really want to play it safe.

I would make sure they have a separate space at first that only they can access, to get away from the older chickens once you begin integrating them. Putting them out while they're still young helps here because it's easier to create a "safe room" with a little chick-sized door if they're still much smaller than the older birds.

Edit - personally I also wouldn't keep them inside until they're fully feathered. Even short trips outside will be good for them, if you can manage that with your current set-up.

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

Personally I'd have no problem with four week old chicks being off heat and outdoors full time in those temperatures, so long as they were able to stay out of the wind and rain and there were more than a few of them to snuggle together and stay warm. Other people might be a bit more cautious but they should definitely be fine to be out full-time by six weeks old if you really want to play it safe.

I would make sure they have a separate space at first that only they can access, to get away from the older chickens once you begin integrating them. Putting them out while they're still young helps here because it's easier to create a "safe room" with a little chick-sized door if they're still much smaller than the older birds.

Edit - personally I also wouldn't keep them inside until they're fully feathered. Even short trips outside will be good for them, if you can manage that with your current set-up.

Oh okay that's great to know. I plan on getting a few chicks this weekend. I do have a question. First, I'm thinking about using the workshop to put the chicks in a night. But I have a couple of questions. First, its a concrete floor. So I plan on putting something down on it first. I believe we have extra pallets around. Its is a closed workshop with a roof but its not insulated. 2nd are chicks nervous around barking. Not constant but I have 2 beagles in there at night. They are in their cages but there might be an occasional barking if something like a field mouse gets in there. The dogs won't be able to see the chicks but I was more worried about the occasional barking.

Thank you

 

[GXPWeasel]

2nd are chicks nervous around barking. Not constant but I have 2 beagles in there at night. They are in their cages but there might be an occasional barking if something like a field mouse gets in there. The dogs won't be able to see the chicks but I was more worried about the occasional barking.

Thank you

I wouldn't worry about that one bit. The will get used to it. We raise our chickens (and now a couple of ducks) with our dogs, cats, and all sorts of noise, and it doesn't seem to effect them at all. I have our current round of chicks in my shop, where I work on loud vehicles, music, and welding and grinding (they are a safe distance away) and it doesn't seem to bother them one bit.

 

[debid]

They'll get used to whatever sounds are repetitive. Mine would panic over boat sounds at first but as those get more frequent (and the non fishing types with the loud stereos come around), they learn that these particular unnatural sounds aren't something to be concerned over. Also, they are housed next to the adults so seeing the adults NOT panic probably helps.

And I'd personally just throw shavings on the concrete expecting that I will need to wash away whatever debris doesn't sweep up later. Pallets underfoot just give a space for rodents to try and occupy.

 

[thelordsblessing2017]

Thanks everyone