How warm does it have to be to let your chicks play outside?

[chickenmama109]

Hi! I just got some new chicks from TSC they don’t have ANY feathers yet! But tomorrow is gonna be around 65 and sunny! Can I bring the chicks out for a bit to play? Or is that too cold?

 

[Mrs. K]

Listen to your chicks, listen to their peeping. Peeping changes in intensity and pitch, it gets a bit desperate when they are cold. Many people tend to keep their chicks at a constant temperature, but a broody hen does not. She lets them roam around and explore and then gives them a warm up.

When I take mine out at first, I make sure they are out of the wind, have a wind shelter, and a shade shelter and a sunny spot. Just take them out for a bit, then a bit longer, then longer yet.

Keep an eye on the and listen. But to me, it is important that they get out, on real dirt, in real sunshine, with enough space to get more motion and strength.

Mrs K

 

[chickenmama109]

Listen to your chicks, listen to their peeping. Peeping changes in intensity and pitch, it gets a bit desperate when they are cold. Many people tend to keep their chicks at a constant temperature, but a broody hen does not. She lets them roam around and explore and then gives them a warm up.

When I take mine out at first, I make sure they are out of the wind, have a wind shelter, and a shade shelter and a sunny spot. Just take them out for a bit, then a bit longer, then longer yet.

Keep an eye on the and listen. But to me, it is important that they get out, on real dirt, in real sunshine, with enough space to get more motion and strength.

Mrs K

Thank you so much!!

 

[tigger19687]

Are they day olds with down? Or are they older and just getting their true feathers and are looking Bald? If the later I might wait, if the 1st then yes, small area in the sun.

Also know the weather as stated above, wind-> no, cloudy-> no, sunny Yes ! Sit with them and a llittle penned area with you in the middle. If they huddle in the shade it is too hot, if they gather near you for warmth then it is still too cold.

Personally I would think it is too cold but I am up north and you in Tx

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you are ever lucky enough to watch a broody hen raise chicks you will get a new appreciation as to how tough those chicks really are. The first two or three days after they hatch the chicks tend to spend a lot of time under the broody. But about the time the energy from the yolk they absorbed at hatch runs out they go out looking for food, even when it is around freezing. The colder it is the shorter the time they are out before going back in to warm up but even then many people would be amazed at how long that is. At 65 degrees F it can be a long time.

I totally agree with Mrs. K. Keep them out of a cold wind but take them out. They will scratch and peck at the ground, getting grit and stuff to eat, even if they are pecking at bare ground. They like grass too. Keep them confined so you can catch them, they can be amazingly quick.
If they get cold they will give an unmistakable plaintive peep. If you hear it you just know something is wrong. At 65 F you may get cold and tired before they do.

 

[chickenmama109]

If you are ever lucky enough to watch a broody hen raise chicks you will get a new appreciation as to how tough those chicks really are. The first two or three days after they hatch the chicks tend to spend a lot of time under the broody. But about the time the energy from the yolk they absorbed at hatch runs out they go out looking for food, even when it is around freezing. The colder it is the shorter the time they are out before going back in to warm up but even then many people would be amazed at how long that is. at 65 degrees F it can be a long time.

I totally agree with Mrs. K. Keep them out of a cold wind but take them out. They will scratch and peck at the ground, getting grit and stuff to eat, even if they are pecking at bare ground. They like grass too. Keep them confined so you can catch them, they can be amazingly quick.
If they get cold they will give an unmistakable plaintive peep. If you hear it you just know something is wrong. At 65 F you may get cold and tired before they do.

Thank you everyone