How Old Are my Chicks and When Can They Start Staying the Night Outside.?

[Sparkleyhead]

Meet my two newest ladies. A friend of mine got them from Homestead Gardens and couldn't keep them so they have come to live with me. When he got them he didn't ask how old they were so I am guestimating them at around 3 weeks. Any seasoned chick raisers have a better idea?
I also want to know when they can start living outside at night. I live in Maryland about 25 minutes south of Annapolis and November can be pretty nippy here. It has already gotten down into the 30s at night. I am putting them out during the day, bringing them in at night and keeping them in the "basement" (aka the cellar we flatter by calling it a basement). I raised 5 other chicks from when they were about 2-3 weeks old this summer, but they could stay outside all the time because it was always warm. Fall/winter is a whole new beast for me. I appreciate the help guys!

This what they looked like a week ago October 30th

And these are from tonight November 5th.

 

[Pathfinders]

IMO, they look to be about four weeks old.

If you leave them outside, you will need to provide a heat lamp for them, they are not old enough to be without heat if it gets cold at night. Ideally a four or five week old chick needs temps of about 75 to 80 degrees in order to thrive. Any less and they'll expend a lot of energy shivering and won't grow well.

Good luck with them!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

They are very well feathered and don't need a heat source. I've no idea where you live for climate but you only need to acclimate them to it over the next few days to week.

I'd give no heat inside few days and if you've a cold storage area have then there for few days then right outside and no worries.

 

[Sparkleyhead]

Thanks guys!