how long before they can go out side?

[miron28]

how much longer before i can move these girls out side? they are 2 weeks old?

 

[Matt A NC]

Around here, I would say at least 8-10 weeks old depending on the breed. And even then you will still need protection at night or maybe even need to bring them in at night.

When you start taking them out during the day, watch them. Their actions will tell you if you need to bring them in or provide some warmth. If they huddle tightly, then they are too cold.

Matt

 

[Mahonri]

If they are in a protected closed run, you can let your chicks out earlier. I let mine out at 4 weeks.

 

[panner123]

I had one hen bring her chicks out in the snow last week and they were only 17 days old. The other hen wouldn't go out with her 9 day old chicks. If you have a hen that has hatched the chicks, she will decide when it is time to go out. If you have hatched them in an bator they whould be feathered out before they go out, even then it should be a warm sunny day. This is the reason most won't use a bator this time of year. Can you imagine what it would be like here if I was to hatch out a 100 or more chicks a week as I do in the summer? Not only would the DW leave, I would to. In the summer I can move them to the barn or garage has they hatch. It is way to cold here now for that.

 

[skeeter]

weve had some that were hatched outside and never seen the inside but usually not in the middle of winter

 

[cmom]

I put mine out in a chicken tractor at 2 weeks. I did put their brooder lamp out there too so If they wanted warmth they could. The would be in and out. I also covered it so the warmth would stay in.

 

[kelliepulido]

I put mine out at 3wks. they had a heat lamp but it was cold and has been cold with about 2ft of snow on the ground.My broody also hatched out 6 too and they are out there in the barn.They have been out for at least 2.5 wks. or 3 and everybody is alive and well.Today it seems warm it is about 30 degrees but it keeps snowing.

 

[Delta2 23]

My chicks went outside when they were two weks old- as soon as we got them.
I guess it's warmer here than America, which is about the same as England, so I'd say....
when they're about five weeks old. I'm not sure, I never had chickens when I lived in England.
They need temperature of 30 degrees when they are young chicks, so if it's warm enough let them out.
Watch for predators too, they can kill the chicks and make sure you keep an eye on them- they are very hard to find when you have bushes and long grass in your garden. Good luck!

 

[Akane]

Here... March... Maybe late Feb....

It's not just the low temps outside but the difference between inside and outside. It's different if they are born in cool temps and are used to cool temps. Taking even healthy adult animals in and out of the house in winter with the large temp differences can cause illnesses and stress. If you can't adjust them slowly to outdoor temps you risk illness here. 68F indoors to nighttime outdoor temps in the negatives is too much change in my opinion. I did move some 10 week olds a month ago from indoors to out when the temp was hovering around freezing and they were fine under a heat lamp until they adjusted. If your temps are below freezing or more than a 20-30F diff between indoors and outdoors I would provide heat of some sort at least until they adjust and wait until they are well feathered around 8weeks or older.

 

[red star11]

I put mine outside at 8 weeks:yiipchick