Integrating baby chicks to the rest of the flock

[ChickytheNicky]

So my chicks are now fully feathered (So I guess they aren't quite babies anymore), and I was wondering how I should go about putting them outside. Two of my chicks died in the brooder due to (I believe) freezing to death, so I am worried it will be too cold. My big chickens have already met the babies on multiple occasions, and I'm not too worried about bullying. What can I do to assure that A) my chicks won't freeze to death, B) they have access to food and water (which is up on top of the nesting boxes), and C) that the big chicks won't bully them, and if they do that they can escape? Any help is appreciated! Thank You!

 

[Lucy Brown]

First of all, where do you live? Are your chicks off any source of heat?

 

[ChickytheNicky]

My chicks would be removed from a heat source, but are currently using heat lamps.

 

[rosemarythyme]

FIrst off, how old are they? Any photos of the chicks? Any photos of your set up, especially this feed area on the nests you mentioned?

They should be off heat before you move them out, otherwise you'll need to continue to provide heat.

 

[LateBirdFarms]

There's a collection of excellent advice in the BYC articles, starting with my favorite:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

But as @rosemarythyme mentioned, first things first, get them off of supplemental heat before starting the transition. The rest of the steps depends on your temps and your setup. I currently have 8 chicks between 5.5-7weeks outside in the coop, and it's been hovering around -2c to 5c at night, no loses.