Help, moving chicks outside

[hildar]

I normally add them in when they are 5 to 6 weeks of age. They get to see each other in between that time. Occasionally I will get a motherly hen that will sit close to them or even bring them worms and bugs. When I see that happen I will add her in with them and allow the bonding to happen. If that happens, she wont allow anyone to touch one. But if they are without a motherly hen then wait until when they are a month or more old, and have a short roost for them. Then add them on the roost at night. The older hens will accept them quicker that way.

 

[clankeyes]

I don't mean to sound rude, but if they smell, can't you just clean the brooder and open the window? We have ours in the house as well and never have a problem. Granted we have only had as many as 6 at a time...

We have our 7 girls in the back of our kitchen. We turned our table nook area into a nursery our girls about about 3 wks now and I don't have and I agree no smell. a tad of the dust but no smell. I would say maybe try using wood pellets for the bedding. Its super easy to clean. I will be moving ours this next week into a kiddie pool with a dog play pen around it. This will be in our mudd room.

 

[brood mother]

I'm in this same box. My oldest three went out last night to coop for first day and did fine. I did put a heat lamp in for them in case they wanted the extra warmth . Was in the upper 40s. Turned it off this morning. I am seriously debating putting atleast 4 of my other chicks out there. They are fully feather except two still have some fluff on their heads. But I still think they will be fine. Temps are real warm during the day and range from upper 40s to low 60s.

So what do y'all think????

 

[okjenyp]

I'm in this same box. My oldest three went out last night to coop for first day and did fine. I did put a heat lamp in for them in case they wanted the extra warmth . Was in the upper 40s. Turned it off this morning. I am seriously debating putting atleast 4 of my other chicks out there. They are fully feather except two still have some fluff on their heads. But I still think they will be fine. Temps are real warm during the day and range from upper 40s to low 60s.

So what do y'all think????

I would say it's ok. You put a heat lamp in there and they can cuddle with the other chickens. I put a lamp in my coop just for a few weeks, but they don't use it. I am going to switch it out for a normal light soon. And my chicks are four weeks old

 

[brood mother]

Ok well I think I will introduce them I it tomorrow!

 

[SusanPC]

Last night, my 4 chicks spent their fourth night out in the coop. Tomorrow we will have had them for 5 weeks. Last night it got down to 60 degrees by 6am and it was the first night I didn't provide a heat lamp. Most of the night (until about 2am) it was in the low 70s or upper 60s. They seemed okay this morning and were anxious to exit the coop and get to their food even though it was still in the 60s when I let them out of the coop and into their run. I'm going to try to only use the heatlamp if we're going to get a really cold night (30s, 40s).The wind here yesterday and last night was strong, but the day temps. are getting into the 80s. I provided a wind break for them yesterday and when I let them out of the run for a few minutes - I thought the wind was going to blow them away!

They are very satisfied being outdoors and I spent yesterday cleaning my house of chick dust and pine shavings. Currently, they have pine shavings in their outdoor run, but that was a mistake. When it's ready to be covered, we're going to use an organize pine bark mulch. It sits much better in the run - the shavings have blown everywhere with the strong winds and doesn't look as nice in the run (not natural). It's good for the coop though, so far.

Trixie - our Easter Egger, loving her sand dust bath.

Three of the girls enjoying life in their new home.

 

[brood mother]

NEED ADVICE. I have 5 of my chicks outside. They are the one ones that are basically all feathered out. I have three that are basically feathered out except for their heads. They are 4 weeks old(give or take a day). I also have 2 that are bout 3 weeks old. Do ya think these 5 could go out to coop? I haven't had to use the heat lamp out there for the older ones but a couple if night, but could turn it in if needed to for younger ones. Not sure what to do.

Wanna move my itsy bitsies over to the big brooder. Considering getting couple of ducklings .

 

[hildar]

NEED ADVICE. I have 5 of my chicks outside. They are the one ones that are basically all feathered out. I have three that are basically feathered out except for their heads. They are 4 weeks old(give or take a day). I also have 2 that are bout 3 weeks old. Do ya think these 5 could go out to coop? I haven't had to use the heat lamp out there for the older ones but a couple if night, but could turn it in if needed to for younger ones. Not sure what to do.

Wanna move my itsy bitsies over to the big brooder. Considering getting couple of ducklings

.

I believe that would depend on the temps in the coop. Mine were in the coop when it would be 50 degrees at night. However they would all huddle together and the younger ones usually were in the middle so they stayed toasty warm. Any temps between 50 and 60 at night and you would be ok.

 

[brood mother]

The temps here are ranging from the upper 40s to the low 60s. Tonight it's supposed to be in the mid to upper 50s. But what about on the nights that is 40 something? Should I turn on the heat lamp??

 

[hildar]

The temps here are ranging from the upper 40s to the low 60s. Tonight it's supposed to be in the mid to upper 50s. But what about on the nights that is 40 something? Should I turn on the heat lamp??

Yeah I would if it gets down to 40. Shouldn't be to much longer though before it starts to warm up. I hope.