We have two rhode island reds and two barred rock chicks that are around three weeks old. We have them in a brooder in the hottest room in our house and just close the vents so they won't get cold and they seem perfectly comfortable. We have nevee used a heat lamp, just because it got way too hot when i tried it and the room stays pretty warm. They are very playful now and they seem to be getting very bored in the brooder. I let them out during the day when i can be outside so they can explore. They flap their wings and run around and chase bugs and fly up to perch on things. We live in South Carolina and during the day it has been in the 90's and at night its normally in the high 70's and low 80's. I was just wondering when it would be okay to have them start sleeping and staying outside in our smaller chicken pen. They have their wing feathers and tail feathers and all, but they still have just down on top of their heads and down the middle of their backs. Also, how should I go about introducing them to our other four hens and rooster. Our rooster has come up to them before while they are out and sometimes he will not pay them any attention and other times he will chase them and try to get them. Our hens and rooster have a large coop with a very large run, so there should not be any overcrowding once we start mingling them.
I've found that all of my batches of chicks are different. I have had a few that never needed light or additional heat either. How cool does the room get at night where they are sleeping now compared to the lows outside? I have an extra large cage that attaches to a plastic bottom (it used to be for a guinea pig) and if I take the bottom off I can place the large top cage part right on top of the grass. I usually do this (making sure to cover one side with a towel for shade) for the whole day before moving them outside for the night. This just gets them used to being outside all day without me always there. Also you can use a brooder plate or a mama heating pad cave for their first few nights outside incase they do get cold. I close off one part of my main run with a screen and let the chicks stay in there while the big guys are in the run also. This gets them comfortable with each other. Then you can make a small door or portal so the little guys can safely get in & out but the adults can not get in. This gets the chicks comfortable exploring and finding the food and water stations but also gives them an escape if they are getting picked on. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ooder-picture-heavy-update/7470#post_17408834
@RubyNala97 has given you some great advice. Here's a couple of links that may further support this advice. https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Brooder+to+coop https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1126547/topic-of-the-week-integrating-chicks-into-an-adult-flock https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1069595/introducing-chicks-to-adults#post_16276224 https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-see-but-don-t-touch-method https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1098683/introducing-new-chickens-to-old-flock#post_16895615 CT
