How long do my chicks have to be inside the house?

[Sarahbethk]

My husband says the chicks can't go outside yet but they smell SO bad! I clean their box out everyday but they are really smelly little critters!!! I think they are going on two months old.. isn't that old enough to go outside?

 

[Mahonri]

First, what is your location? Usually by two months they are fully feathered and can go out even when it's real cold, but I'd still give them a lamp for a while.

I'm in Phoenix and mine go out after one week.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
X2

 

[dolly85]

Depends on where you live and your type of coop. If you live in a colder climate I would suggest having a heat source available for the babies inside the coop. It is very hard on their systems to go from a nice warm house to freezing temps, snow and wind! If you live in California, Florida, or anyplace where the temps are a little more stable then they should be just fine going outside.

 

[suebee]

Yep, mine got the boot after 7 weeks but not knowing your climate please add a heat lamp. If that's not possible keep the stinkers in at least during night time.

 

[Judy]

I don't brood in the house. My 5 day olds are running around in the coop all day. They go under mama at night only. I've seen them run around at this age in below freezing weather.

 

[suebee]

Quote:
Me too! I only raised my very first chicks inside, the rest were hatched by a broody...sometimes in the winter.

 

[ginormous chicken]

ditto with everyone. My first batch of chickens in Oct., I looked at the guy in the feed store when he said 8 week. I was like 8 weeks!!!

But I ended up keeping them 9 weeks to be sure. Yeah, they stink. Air Freshner. I like febreeze!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Our house is for my wife and I.
I brood in the barn, 'cause that is what barns are for.