How soon can they go outside?

[Junkybird]

Hi there, I have ten chicks inside in a RM box set-up. They are in my living room and the stench has started, as well as the feather dust. We have a brooder that we want to put in our barn outside. I would still have the heat lamp on them. They are four weeks old right now and have most of their feathers. Can I go ahead and move them to the barn set-up, or do you think it is too early? As long as I can keep the temp at 80 degrees what would be the problem?

Thanks for any input.

2 Buffs, 2 EE, 2 Blk Australorps, 2 Cuckoo marans, 2 SL Wyandottes

 

[JulieN]

They'd be fine as long as they're protected from predators & rats.

 

[andalusn]

My peeps are in a RM tub in the barn, set it up the day they came home in the aisleway. The peeps are one week old. Our temps have been in the mid 30's at night and upper 40's to 50's in the day depending opon the storm/rain we have had this week. The heat lamp is on around the clock on one end. They have done just fine. A friend of mine sets up her stock tank brooder in her car port from the get go.

This was day one as they were settling in for the night. Now they are all over the tub and having a blast sampling the seed heads of the hay. Two Buckeye and 1 Buff Orphington

 

[joel david]

Mine have been in my shop since I brought them home and they are fine. The shop isn't heated or very well insulated but it's draft free and with their light and an additional light early on they have been cozy.

 

[Junkybird]

Okay, thanks for the input. I will go ahead and put them out there. I have a red heat lamp and thermometer, so they should be fine. It is starting to warm up here (upstate SC) but still not warm enough for no heat lamp! LOL

I can't wait to clean up my living room!!