FLORIDA CHICKS

[Tayymillerlott]

Hey guys! I live in south central Florida. My chicks are about 6 weeks old and still under lamp/brooder. It’s getting pretty warm here and they’re starting to fly up to the top of their box. I have Their coop all setup. When is it safe to move them outside and not under the lamp?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Several weeks ago, as soon as they were fully feathered.

I'm in North Florida, howdy neighbor! My last batch has been outside, no heat, for several weeks now. Here they are outside on Feb 14 (they had a heat plate inside the first few nights where we were high 30s/low 40s. Their hatch date was Jan 18. They will join the main flock in two weeks, righjt now they are in the grow out pen.

 

[Tayymillerlott]

They’re not completely feathered. You still think it’s ok?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

They’re not completely feathered. You still think it’s ok?

You could post a photo? By six weeks they should be feathered out enough.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

They’re not completely feathered. You still think it’s ok?

At six weeks, they should be feathered out pleny.

 

[Tayymillerlott]

they’re wings are completely feathered. They’re shedding their hair on their belly, so I’m assuming they’re getting new feathers there. I’m at work all day today, but I can definitely post one when I get home. It’s currently 90 degreees where I live, so I’m thinking they’ll be ok, lol.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes they will be fine. People tend to keep chicks on heat much longer than they need to be. I am in Iowa and brood outside in a barn using a brooder plate. I will only turn on a heat lamp over their food and water if it’s below 40 degrees. By 3-4 weeks they start to wean themselves off of their brooder plate and by 5 weeks they don’t use it even when it’s in the 30s and 40s.

 

[Ridgeback825]

I boot mine outside at 4 weeks and I'm in sw Florida. We made an outdoor mini coop that sits in our outdoor run for look but don't touch. As long as you have a few chicks, they can huddle together to warm up. We gradually remove heat indoors before the move outside to get them acclaimed to huddling.

 

[Tayymillerlott]

Yes they will be fine. People tend to keep chicks on heat much longer than they need to be. I am in Iowa and brood outside in a barn using a brooder plate. I will turn on a heat lamp over their food and water if it’s below 40 degrees. By 3-4 weeks they start to wean themselves off of their brooder plate and by 5 weeks they don’t use it even when it’s in the 30s and 40s.

Thank you!!

 

[Tayymillerlott]

I boot mine outside at 4 weeks and I'm in sw Florida. We made an outdoor mini coop that sits in our outdoor run for look but don't touch. As long as you have a few chicks, they can huddle together to warm up. We gradually remove heat indoors before the move outside to get them acclaimed to huddling.View attachment 3424515

Awesome. Thank you!