How old do I have to wait to put my chicks outside?

[ChickyMomm]

I have a few questions about putting my chicks outside with the rest of my chickens. I have two chicks, one is a Barred rock, and one is a Easter Egger, and they're both about 3 weeks old. I've been taking them on little field trips outside multiple times a week to get familiar with their new home and the other hens, but I always do so with them inside a chickenwire playpen I made, so that they can't run off and get hurt.

Another question I have is I'm wondering if this will be a difficult transition for the chicks? I have 8 hens and there's only 2 chicks, so I don't know if it will be overwhelming for them or if they'll get pecked at. I've moved chicks into the flock before, but usually when they're in bigger numbers so they can't really be singled out. Will this be a problem?

Thank you to anyone who can answer these questions!

 

[Monkeybean415]

I wait until they're fully feathered and don't need the hear lamp anymore before considering putting them outside. If you're integrating them into an established flock it would be best to wait until they're closer in size to the big girls so probably around 3-4 months? That's when we usually do it anyway.

I think they'll be ok even just being two as long as they have places to hide and get away if they're being bullied

 

[ChickyMomm]

Ah, thanks! There's plenty of room for them to run if they need to, and they pretty much stick together. The other hens aren't really aggressive but it never hurts to be on the lookout for any bullying going on in the flock. Thank you!