Michigan Weather: When can they move outside?

[kle2684]

I have 5 chicks that are about 3-4 weeks old. When can I move them out to their coop? It's averaging 55-70 degrees during the day and about 45-55 degrees at night here. I don't mind keeping them in the house still bit they are running out of room in the brooder and trying to fly around! They have never liked the recommended heat guidelines and have liked it around 75-80 degrees so far. Should I keep them in longer?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Do you have electric at the coop?

 

[yochickiemomma]

Im In NW MI and I put mine out at about 5 wks they were fully feathered and had out grown their brooder. That was a couple weeks ago.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Since you have electric, they could have moved outside when you got them out of the hatcher.
Mine go out at day old long as the internal building temp is above the mid 30s.

 

[windrun]

I was wondering the same thing, this is my first time with chicks... I live in the U.P. of Michigan, and I have 6, 4 and 7, 5 wk old chicks. Our weather has been up and down, but my chicks are restless and out of room in the brooder, I brought them out to the temp coop for a couple hours today, they didn't seem happy at all until I brought them back in the house. It was mid 60's, was it too cold?

 

[Folly's place]

I move mine to the coop annex (separate from the main flock) anytime after about two weeks of age, with the heat lamp in one corner, so they can get warm at will, and wander in the larger area, and learn about the ladder roost. They can see and hear the adults, and get acquainted over the next few weeks that way, so opening everything up later goes pretty well. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Also, that should be enough time for the Marek's vaccine to be effective. So far no Marek's disease here, but if it comes my vaccinated birds will be safer. Mary

 

[kle2684]

Ok. My chick's are now about 6 weeks old. Brooder has been at 70 degrees for two ish weeks. I plan to move them out this weekend but wondering if I still need a heat source outside?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You shouldn't need heat. Is there any way you can get their brooder temperature lower?

 

[yochickiemomma]

Are they fully feathered yet?