How do I do the whole moving chicks outside thing? Is it temperature or feathers or size that matters? Do I eaze them out a little each day? Or just put them out there?
Well, one rule I like to follow is that they have to be fully feathered before they get to live outside permanently. Usually, the weather is getting nice out and then I take them out in the evenings and let them play in the grass a bit in a bottomless playpen type device I made. So they get to be outside with my supervision, of course......I do this when it's nice out and then finally, when the weather is in the upper 60s, I will put them out in their enclosed chicken run......They usually like it alot, and then at night I have to go out and get them and put them into their coop and shut the door....I have to do this for a few weeks and then suddenly, they get the idea on their own...... I do think their feathering is the first requirement, then the weather is the next.........
I agree with chicmom, try to keep them in an area that is enclosed and not drafty until they are fully feathered. You can slowly wean them off the heat lamp if you are still using it. Where you live and how cold it is will also dictate when they can go outside.
