Going outside.....

[beeksnfeet]

Just a quick question . . . Our chicks will be 7 weeks old and are doing very well. Lots and lots of feathers, but not fully feathered out yet. At what point can they go outside and stay there. They will of course have access to the coop all day and would be locked in at night. We have 3 Buff Orps and 2 white Plymouth Rocks.....the Buffs are bigger then the other two yet they were all supposed to be hatched on the same day. I thought they were around the same size!

 

[poultryplay]

I am wondering the same thing. My chicks are already standing on their feeder and craning their necks hoping to look over the brooder box top and flapping around. I'ts getting kind of rowdy in there and I think they would like more space. They are filling with feathers and we are a little further south, here in southwestern Ohio. Is it a temperature thing only...or is the wet weather something I need to consider? I have 3 Buff Orps and 3 Easter Eggers.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Just a quick question . . . Our chicks will be 7 weeks old and are doing very well. Lots and lots of feathers, but not fully feathered out yet. At what point can they go outside and stay there. They will of course have access to the coop all day and would be locked in at night. We have 3 Buff Orps and 2 white Plymouth Rocks.....the Buffs are bigger then the other two yet they were all supposed to be hatched on the same day. I thought they were around the same size!

Well, whenever you think they are tough enough to go out (Probably around 8-12 weeks). And when you let them out for the first time don't leave them out to long. Leave them out for about 45 minutes and gradually give them more and more time outside and eventually they can go out for the whole day. You do it gradually because they can get sick if they are not use to the food and environment outside (Such as grass, leaves, bugs, and just the general out doors) also they could gorge themselves on the great new foods outside.
Hope that answers your questions! Good Luck!

 

[AussieHens96]

Funnily enough, if your chicks aren't using heaters anymore, which at seven weeks, they really shouldn't need it, let them out. If only for a few hours at a time, or all day in an in closed area. We had our 8 week old Isa outside all day in winter and they are fine. Chickens are pretty hardy! If you're concerned keep them in an enclosed area with a roosting area that is sheltered from wind and ran, preferably something enclosed so if they get cold they can retreat to somewhere less windy etc. Overall, though, chickens are pretty tough when it comes to the cold.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Funnily enough, if your chicks aren't using heaters anymore, which at seven weeks, they really shouldn't need it, let them out. If only for a few hours at a time, or all day in an in closed area. We had our 8 week old Isa outside all day in winter and they are fine. Chickens are pretty hardy! If you're concerned keep them in an enclosed area with a roosting area that is sheltered from wind and ran, preferably something enclosed so if they get cold they can retreat to somewhere less windy etc. Overall, though, chickens are pretty tough when it comes to the cold.

But remember to do it gradually!

 

[AussieHens96]

But remember to do it gradually!

Of course! Stages are very important! We started with a few hours but when we realised all the kids knew where everything was, we left them out. They did have a 16 + 18 week old hens mothering the babies. Keeping them out of mischief!

 

[beeksnfeet]

I know what you mean!!! I folded a piece of paper like a cone and taped it to the top of the feeder so they wouldn't sit on it. It didn't take a whole lot of time before they figured out all they had to do was sit on the roost we have for them and pick at it and it flopped over.....They are much smarter then I thought they would be

 

[beeksnfeet]

Thanks for the reply. I have been giving them grit along with a different 'treats' every other day for a few weeks now to see what they liked and didn't! They are very fond of weeds with dirt clumps attached, so I know they will do ok out there. I will start to give them a bit of time outside each day in the coming weeks when DH gets the run finished. I need to do it soon too. They are flinging pine shavings every where and I'm sooo tired of dusting! Thanks again!

 

[beeksnfeet]

I am still using the heat light, but will start to wean off if you think it's a wise move. They are indoors away from any draft and have nice thick pine shavings to nestle in. It has been rainy and damp for a few days, but should warm up after Mothers Day. It will be nice NOT to have the light shining constantly too! Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mattemma]

Mine are just 4 weeks,feathered,and now in the garage in their playpen. When they are 8 weeks I will be putting them in a small fenced area in the grass under supervision a few hours each day. I have a light on in their pen,but it is just a 75 watt.