Is it too soon to move chicks outside?

[Hungarianquail]

My coturnix quail are 8 days old. Quite feathered out (albeit not fully of course). Outside temperatures are 85-90°F during the day and about 68-70 at night. They have a fully enclosed area with a 50W heat lamp for night time. Is it too soon to move them out?

 

[Amiloo928]

I don’t know the answer to your question, but your babies are so adorable I couldn’t pass them by without leaving a note!

 

[Hungarianquail]

Haha! Thanks! They really are cute!

 

[Hungarianquail]

I think they like it. I don't see any signs of stress or overheating. It's 89 degrees right now. I think they might be just fine outside. I will turn on the heat lamp at night in their cozy room.

 

[AlderCreekFarms]

Wow, very nice set-up!

 

[Amiloo928]

What a great little setup!! They look like they have a very comfy home! Good luck!

 

[Hungarianquail]

Well they did awesome outside. I did get up several times last night, keep checking on them. They didn't like the dark in the open area, so I put a red non-heat lamp there. The enclosed area had an infrared heat lamp already. Once I did that, they were all over the place. Toward dawn, when temps dropped to about 73, I saw most sleeping under the heat lamp. They figured it out. Everyone seemed happy this morning. So I guess I made the right call by moving them out. They have so much more room now!

 

[Sara L]

Is that a living plant or just a recent cut branch? Great idea for cover/enrichment for the quail.

 

[Hungarianquail]

Is that a living plant or just a recent cut branch? Great idea for cover/enrichment for the quail.

I cut a few branches and I have some artificial plants in there, too. I have lots of trees around. I found that they absolutely love feeling hidden, but it still allows air-flow and they can peak through.

 

[Hungarianquail]

Is that a living plant or just a recent cut branch? Great idea for cover/enrichment for the quail.

I ended up tying some to the outer sides, too. They feel more secure that way.