First Night Outside!!!

[clogan98]

This is it. My five darlings are spending their first night outside. They are 6 weeks old and spend all day outside but before it gets dark they always carry on so much I've been pushing it off. They did cry tonight but I waited until it got really dark and went out to find them in the doorway to their coop in a pile. I tried to put them on the roost but they kept trying to snuggle under one another and shoving each other off the roost. I did have them all up there when I shut the door but I did hear a few whumps (the roost is only a few inches off the litter) when I was locking it. Here's to growing up for them! And a sleepless night for me, lol.

 

[Judy]

At 6 weeks I wouldn't worry if they sleep on the floor. I'd just block off the nests and let them change to roosting when they are ready.

They might be noisy the first night. They'll settle down, really.

 

[clogan98]

Actually, I just went out with my camera on night vision and took a peek. They are all up on the roost!!! I heard a few tiny little pips but they look cozy. : )

 

[Pharmacy Chick]

Oh my goodness! So glad they're all well! Tonight is my girls' first night out, and they cried and cried. DH (who didn't want me to get them in the first place) told me to pleeeeeease bring them in, and I said no, that they have to learn that the coop is their home now. They are way too big for their brooder. So the chicks went to bed sad and we went to bed mad!

 

[Chukarbuds]

Actually, I just went out with my camera on night vision and took a peek. They are all up on the roost!!! I heard a few tiny little pips but they look cozy. : )

LOL couldnt help yourself eh?? thats soooo sweet! That will be me tonight! worried already. First night out all by them little selves.

 

[clogan98]

Yeah, I put it off as long as I could but eventually, they need to head out.

They've been doing great though! Hope you had the same luck.

 

[Chukarbuds]

Its 551 am. I woke up at 3 am. I was waay too worried bout my peeps.Iits almost light out. I was most concerned that they werent comfortable. Too hot or too cold cause of the heat lamp. Its been in the low 50's at night. Their coop isnt that big. I notice soon as the sun goes down, they huddle in a corner of their pen and cry.. wait for me to take them in. broke my heart last night. lol Had to pick them up and place them in their coop. Im sure they are fine.I just need to get a smaller wattage bulb.

 

[clogan98]

I don't have a heat lamp in mine and it's been getting into the 40s here. They huddle together and do great. Don't worry so much about the heat lamp. They don't really need it.

 

[CowgirlZooom]

What about at 4 weeks with a heat lamp if the temp gets down to about 55? I have 12 girls, and they are stinking up the house. The brooder is getting too small. I have an enclosed coop...what do you think?

 

[clogan98]

At 4 weeks they can totally go out and they would huddle together, they wouldn't need the heat lamp. Mine are only 4-5 weeks and they don't have a heat lamp and there is only 6 of them. (5 at first). They will be fine.