Going outside

[GardenJen77]

I took the plunge and talk hubby into helping finish the last touches of the coop and we put the babies out in it.

Nervous chicken momma here, but having faith that you guys wouldn't steer us wrong, and that the Lord will watch over them just fine. So far, so good, the chicks are just now starting to explore the coop a little, not too much yet. Will see how they do as the evening progresses and temps really drop. I feel as long as they know how to huddle together, and especially under the heat lamp if need be, they should be ok. The only one I am really worried about is young Bob, as he is only a ball of fluff still.

But with having 15 hens who generally keep him warm, he should be ok......right? "*nail biting*

 

[Peeps61]

If they have a heat lamp on really cold nights, they should be fine. The one in your picture looks pretty feathered out, so I think you're good.

 

[GardenJen77]

Here is a short video on the chicks in their new home, and YES they made it through the night just fine! To the original Poster of this thread, take the challenge! You will be surprised! I was!

 

[Peeps61]

I have this same question. It's over 80 here in Florida. I keep mine in the garage and turn the lamp off during the day. The youngest chick is about a week old. They are staying as far away from the lamp as they can right now. My reds are almost completely feathered out (about 3 weeks old) I was thinking about taking them out to their coop to let them play outside (supervised) then bringing them in at night.

Hi Sally from Pace. I live in Molino, so we share the same weather. If you read my post in this thread, you'll see what has worked for me in the past. I am putting my chicks out into the tractor today, with the heat lamp for those cold evenings, or sudden drops in temperature that we sometimes get. They are pretty feathered out, but have the option to get under the lamp, or stay out if they wish. It's worked very well for the last 3 years, so I think you'll be OK as long as they have supplemental heat and are fully feathered. One week might be a bit young to put outside at this time of the year. I'd give it another two weeks or so to see how feathered out they are. I typically keep them in a brooder in the house for at least two weeks before I move them out, just to make sure they are healthy and have enough feathers.

 

[debid]

Some of us start chicks in coops/barns/sheds/etc. in sub-freezing weather. As long as you can give them a predator-proofed home, an electric hen of some sort, and keep their water liquid, it's fine!

 

[Peeps61]

I've found chickens to be incredibly tough birds when it comes to the elements. I am a bit overcautious with the chicks, but I'm outgrowing it!

 

[debid]

Well, after you've seen a broody hen taking her chicks out, you start to appreciate how unnatural the typical brooding methods are. They're based on commercial farm needs for rearing hundreds of chicks that will never set foot on soil.

 

[GardenJen77]

I've found chickens to be incredibly tough birds when it comes to the elements. I am a bit overcautious with the chicks, but I'm outgrowing it!

Maybe I'll get there! ;-)

 

[GardenJen77]

Well, after you've seen a broody hen taking her chicks out, you start to appreciate how unnatural the typical brooding methods are. They're based on commercial farm needs for rearing hundreds of chicks that will never set foot on soil.

Good to know! Since this is our first new flock, with a rooster, we have never had this experience. ;-)

 

[Peeps61]

Well, after you've seen a broody hen taking her chicks out, you start to appreciate how unnatural the typical brooding methods are. They're based on commercial farm needs for rearing hundreds of chicks that will never set foot on soil.

Yes - I have a thread on here called, "My first unintentional hatch" about one of my hens that decided to sit on a hidden nest in the front yard and managed to hatch 4 of them out. The two surviving chicks were both roosters and they are part of the flock now, sharing the hens and sometimes scrapping over who is top rooster. It was neat to let the hen do all the work! Much nicer than having to feed, water and clean a nasty brooder each week.