How to transition to outside

[kelldos]

We had chicks hatch that are about 6 and 4 weeks old now. Trying to move them outside into a chicken tractor. Going to get straw bales to create a wind barrier. All of the 6 week old are fully feathered. There are 5 of them. The other 8 are in various stages of feathering. Will they be ok going outside with temps heading into high 20's as the lows? I thought we had another week or two before the temps dropped but after this tropical storm went through it brought rain and cold.
They've been outside several days in mid 50's but brouht them in at night. They are no longer using the heat lamp either inside. And we have no heat or AC going and windows open all day until night (so mid 60's).
Will it be warm enough?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I think low 20s is too cold for a chick that isn't fully feathered. Not sure about the 6 week olds, but seems risky to me. Frostbite on combs and feet is a real possibility. For sure you want keep out any wind, and perhaps put something across the top of the tractor for protection. They need a wide flat roost so they cover all their toes when perching.

I live in an area that rarely gets below freezing, so don't have much experience, but I think you are risking losing them in such cold temps being so young. That kind of cold can cause organs to shut down. If it were me, I would continue to bring them inside at night for a few more weeks, just to be safe.

Hopefully someone with cold weather experience will have some advice.

 

[FortCluck]

I put my 6 week old chicks out in the winter last year when it was 13 degrees a few nights, I experienced no frost bite. They were locked in a coop at night though. I used dried leaves over pine shavings to keep the coop warmer.

I would cover part of the tractor in a tarp so that at least 3 sides are covered for shelter from wind and other elements. You could stack hay bales too and create a shelter made out of hay bales.

I'm using a chicken tractor too, our temps at night get down to about 32, but I put metal sheets up on 3 sides. I put tons of leaves on the ground about 5 inches deep so that they have a deep bedding that'll keep them warm. In the spring, it'll be completed and I can use it in the garden and around our peach tree.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Kelldos, I have nothing to add, but I was wondering what part of the country you are in. Just so these folks can expound on things with their experience's, and welcome to BYC..

 

[kelldos]

Yes we were going to make a U shape of hay bales and such to create a warm part of the tractor. And the weather seems it will be staying colder for a while. I'm in SW Indiana. And I was going to also put deeper bedding on the one side. They also have a thicker roost for them all to fit on.