How Long Before I Can Put Chicks In Run Outside

[irf1983]

I have 5 baby chicks. I would guess they are 3-4 weeks old. Until now I have kept them in the garage where it is warm with a light on them. Now they are feathering out a bit, and seemed to avoid the heat light, so i keep it off now, but it is still very warm in the garage. I don't want to overheat them, but i don't want to put them outside before they are ready. I lost one chick not long ago because I think I had it outside too early. Any suggestions on when they can go in a small intermediate run?

 

[detali]

My concern would be, how are you going to keep them safe from your other chickens? Older chickens will peck and chase and harrass little ones all day long giving them no rest or chance to eat. If your outside run is for them only then since they are feathering out they should be okay.

 

[gritsar]

If they will have the intermediate run to themselves they can go in it now. Bring them in at night and/or if it rains for awhile longer.

 

[irf1983]

I have three slightly older chicks in the intermediate run. Probably 6-7 weeks old. There is plenty of room for them all. My older pullets are all in the main run. Do you think the slightly larger chicks would pick on the smaller ones? Or should I keep them all separate?

 

[Vermontmaple]

We have a similar question. Our chicks are 4 weeks old and we are new to all this chicken stuff. The lady who gave us the chicks will be picking up her chicken cage today and the only place we really have is our coop. We could see if we could use our neighbors dog kennel. I thought they would be fine outside but sounds like they should come in. It's going to rain tonight and we live in Vermont. Probably will get in the 60's tonight.
????

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
That's a tough call. The older ones might leave them alone, but there's a better chance the younger ones will be picked on. They need time to be seperate yet seen so they can get used to each other. Some folks create a temporary "wall" out of chicken wire and wood.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Hi. I don't live to far from you. I'm near Ocala. I have a coop and run for my chicks. As long as the weather is nice I let them into their run at 2 weeks.

I agree with the other posts. Some integrations go better than others. You could try to put them together and see how it goes. Be prepared to separate them if you need to. My older birds were a year old when I got my other pullet chicks. I had them in their coops with adjacent runs. The first time I put them together at 14 weeks the hens were chasing them. I had two hens that would jump on the pullets and I was afraid they were going to kill them. There was no blood but if I hadn't intervened I'm sure there would have been.

Here are some pics of my hens and older pullets. Each coop had its own run with access to their yard. In the beginning I would let the pullets out in the yard and later in the day the pullets would go back into their run and the hens would be let out into their yard. I added a second pop door to the hen's house as eventually I wanted to put the pullets in the hen's house. When I first put the pullets in with the hen's they would guard the pop door and wouldn't let the pullets in to eat or drink so I put another feeder and waterer in the run.

 

[irf1983]

Well I put my chicks in with the three older, but my Houdan kept pecking at them if they tried to move out of the corner. I'm going to keep them in their own cage for another week. Then put their cage in the run, so they can see each other but the smaller chicks can have some peace. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[cmom]

If the chicks get along with the rest of the flock why not move your Houdan. I removed the 2 trouble makers. Eventually I put them back in with the rest of the flock. One was still a bully so I removed her for awhile longer. Now everyone is together safe, healthy and happy.

 

[irf1983]

Quote:
That's true, and probably a very good idea. I'm just being a wuss because I'm worried about my chicks. The one I lost a few weeks ago was the most gorgeous chick I have ever seen, I still feel guilty about it. With the wind and storms we are getting now, I just assume keep them in the garage another week or so until I know they can take it. I put them out in a bottomless cage when I am working in the yard so they can get some outside time, scratch around, and take dust baths.