I think it is time to move my chicks outside

[AllenK RGV]

I have 2.5 week old chicks. Lows will not be dropping below the 70's they might hit 68.Is it time, they move outside?

They are feathering up now. They also are too big to escape from the small gaps in the coop.

 

[redranger209]

If you put them outside then they need a heat lamp. They’re too young till at least a month.

 

[Chickassan]

Yep, my last batch just went outside at a month and I'm talking like today I had to since I've got two pipping right now. You still got a couple weeks before you can abandon your children.

 

[lazy gardener]

With those temps, they DON'T need a heat lamp. If your coop is secure, they could go out with those temps if you give them a wool hen or a huddle box.

Chicks brooded in the house should be off heat by the time they are 3 weeks old. During the following week, they could be spending increasingly longer periods of time outdoors, depending on outdoor temps. Week 4, they could be out all day long, again depending on temps. Week 5, they should be fine to move into coop full time, even in freezing temps.

Just FYI, my chicks are brooded outdoors with MHP heat source. By week 3, they are coming and going from their loft where MHP is, and playing in the lower level 8 x 12 run. They completely wean themselves off heat by the time they are 4 - 5 weeks old, with night time temps as low as 30*F.

 

[Jayecookie]

I don't even put my birds outside (I live in Florida) Temps are always high but in case it rains they won't dry quick. My 2nd batch are 2 weeks and I didn't put my first batch out until they were all feathered.

 

[Jayecookie]

With those temps, they DON'T need a heat lamp. If your coop is secure, they could go out with those temps if you give them a wool hen or a huddle box.

Chicks brooded in the house should be off heat by the time they are 3 weeks old. During the following week, they could be spending increasingly longer periods of time outdoors, depending on outdoor temps. Week 4, they could be out all day long, again depending on temps. Week 5, they should be fine to move into coop full time, even in freezing temps.

Just FYI, my chicks are brooded outdoors with MHP heat source. By week 3, they are coming and going from their loft where MHP is, and playing in the lower level 8 x 12 run. They completely wean themselves off heat by the time they are 4 - 5 weeks old, with night time temps as low as 30*F.

When you reply how do you get those website links under your comment?

 

[lazy gardener]

The ones under the line? They are in my signature. Go to your Account (in the top bar), and you can add some stuff to your signature.

 

[lazy gardener]

You can also view other member's profiles.

 

[aart]

I have 2.5 week old chicks. Lows will not be dropping below the 70's they might hit 68.Is it time, they move outside?

They are feathering up now. They also are too big to escape from the small gaps in the coop.

How are you heating them?
What's the temp in the brooder room?

Introduce them to a huddle box in their brooder now.

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've had broody hens wean their chicks at three weeks in those nighttime temperatures. Totally left them alone to make their own way with the flock. The chicks did fine.

But age and temperatures are not the only considerations as others have indicated. Have they been acclimated to lower temperatures? What does your outside area look like? Does it offer good breeze protection and have good ventilation? Those are my keys.

You can provide what I'd call a hover if you wish. Warm air rises. If you put a shallow box with the open side down but raised a bit so they can get under it heat will be trapped under it and help keep them warm. Body heat plus just the heat of the day. But I think you will find they are more likely to sleep on top of it than under it. Still, they might use it.

What are your lows in your house? Probably not that much warmer than those overnight lows. Turn the heat off from the brooder and see how they react. If they get cold they will let you know. That should give you some confidence they can handle it. It's probably too warm during the day for them to gain any acclimation to lower temps during the day, you've missed that opportunity.

When you take them outside leave them locked in the coop only for a week or so. That should give them excellent breeze protection down low where they are plus it gets them used to the coop being home.

I think at that age and with those temps they would probably do great outside now, but a couple of days in your house with the brooder heat off should do a lot to give you confidence and it won't hurt them.