Is it too hot to move 4-5wk old chicks outside in 100+ degrees?

[AZMamaHen66]

Hello. I'm a first time chicken owner in AZ, currently raising 5 chicks. I'm not sure if this is a silly question or not, but our 4-5 week old chicks are outgrowing their rubbermade brooder quite quickly. It is summer already (ugh!) and hitting 100+ degrees during the day. We are i the process of finishing our coop, which has a fully covered roof, and will have shade screens if necessary. Are my chicks to young to move out into the harsh weather? I plan on offering chick electrolytes along with lots of regular water. I just don't want to give them heat stroke! The coop faces North/ South with the hen house being on the South side. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sumi]

They'll be fine out there as long as they have shade and plenty fresh, cool water to drink. If it's really hot, put a large shallow pan of water in there for them, but make sure the water is shallow, no more than an inch deep. They'll learn quickly to stand in the water if they need to cool down.

If it's this warm by you already I'd move them out full time asap.

 

[gander007]

Get the ground wet and keep them in the shade ....

 

[AZMamaHen66]

Okay great! Thanks for the suggestions. We are gonna finish the coop and run this week hopefully. I want to see it and make sure there is plenty of shade all day. Excited to move them out and let them run!

 

[One Chick Two]

Besides shaded areas, and many cool places to hide (2 or more free wooden pallets work great pushed against buildings).

This year we have inset a chicken (kiddie) wading pool on a drip under a market umbrella that they really seem to like- considering adding some medium sized rocks so they can walk across it, and have multiple misting stations that they enjoy on extra hot days. (Last year we had 118 degree days.) We sprayed the ground alot with sprayers, and gave treats frozen in container tubs they liked pecking. Good luck!

 

[Koniucha]

I live in AZ too and my five are about five weeks. They have been outside for a couple weeks now during the day. I have a screen covering the coop, a cat litter box with water and a fan. They are doing fine.