how long to keep in a brooder?

[SOchick]

I just wondered how long chicks need to be kept in a brooder. We have 2 "stray" chicks we picked up at work and I am guessing they are about 4 weeks old. They have the beginnings of adult feathers, and some chick feathers (about half &half). They seem to be doing fine at the pen at the barn, but we aren't sure if we should move them or not. I will try to get a picture tommorrow because we want to kow what breed they might be too (white feathers are coming in and the chick feathers look yellow/cream). Anyway, do you guys think they will be ok not in a brooder?

Thanks!

 

[NCIndiaBlue]

I think they will be fine, especially this time of year.

 

[SOchick]

That's what we were thinking... but you never know, so I thought I would ask. Thanks!!!

 

[jthayerkatz]

at four weeks our chicks our kept around
75-80 F as long as the overnight temps in the area you are going too move them too stays at or above that you should be fine. we move ours out at 3-4 weeks with an alternate heat source so that proper temps are mantained. until they are fully feathered I do not think that they can properly mantain their own body temp. the best rule of thumb is too closely moniter their behavior. the same way you would in the brooder to determine if they are comfortable. they will be your best indicator.
Good Luck

 

[TK Poultry]

i have some 3 week old chicks and ive been trying to decide when to put them out into the bantam cages i have no bantams yet i figured they would work well i didnt no when i should put them out it gets down to about the 60's on a nice day and the 50's on a rainy day at night should i keep them in there for a while longer?? and could i keep bantam chicks that are the same age in with the LF chicks i have now?