How old do chicks have to be to go outside?

[ChelleBelle]

I live in Glendale, Arizona and it doesn't get cold here this time of year. So I was wondering what everyone's opinion is about when they can move to their coop? The feed store that we got them at said when they are 4 weeks old. They are 2 weeks old now and are trying to fly out of their brooder every time it's opened. They seem bored in there. How old do they have to be to explore outside? These are the first chicks I have ever had, any advise or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Fred's Hens]

You could put them in the coop now. We brood outside, always and forever, never indoors. As long as you can provide them with an environment that is adequate, there's no problem. All they need, at this point, is daytimes highs above 80. For cooler nights, string an extension cord and give them a warm circle of red glow to huddle under. That's it. That's all they need.

 

[ChelleBelle]

You could put them in the coop now. We brood outside, always and forever, never indoors. As long as you can provide them with an environment that is adequate, there's no problem. All they need, at this point, is daytimes highs above 80. For cooler nights, string an extension cord and give them a warm circle of red glow to huddle under. That's it. That's all they need.

Thanks for the advice.. The daytime highs are over 100. Today was 106. We are almost done building our coop. The coop will be 100% shaded and the house is open on one side with plenty of ventilation.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You'll actually have more concerns about over heating than bothering with providing additional heat. That's pretty warm. Doesn't sound as if they'll require any heat at all.

 

[mumztheword]

I am by no means an expert -- but I have chicks that are just 2 weeks old, and I only kept them in the house for about the first 10 days. After the first week, we'd go have playtime outside in the run, and then at about 10 days, they started spending the night in the coop. Daytime highs are in the 80s and for nighttime, I have a heat lamp going. I've kept a close eye on them and haven't seen any piling up or stress. I've worried about not going by the book (starting at 95, then dropping 5 degrees each week), but I'm taking my cues from them. One night I had it up to 90 in their coop, and they looked miserable... so I cooled it off.

Good luck!