Move outdoors early

[Shelbysoobs]

If you had 6 Orpington pullets, 3 barnevelders, and 1 BCM that hatched 8/28 to 8/30 and you were going to be out of town for a week unexpectedly when you planned to move them outside, which you move them a week early or a week late? The brooder is tight and I am considered they will be too crowded in there for an extra week. I am planning on integrating them with older pullets (a month older, so 10 weeks currently) in a very large hoop coop that is tarped for shade and wind but has 24/7 open airflow through door and upper wall. They would have a temporary separate enclosure built for them within the hoop coop to integrate the two batches of chicks together. My weather for Oct is attached and pics of the Orpingtons current feather growth. Basically I’d like to move them the sooner the better so I can observe them before I leave 10/11. Thanks!!

The chicks in brooder that were hatched 9/11 are staying in the brooder while I leave. There’s only 3. The rest are older and need to go outside soon.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Best I can figure the chicks are right now about 33 days old. They should be fully feathered. The coldest they will see in the next few weeks is in the 50's. Based on temperature they can go out today.

It sounds like they will be isolated from your other chickens so they will not be integrated until you get back. Integration would be my concern, not those temperatures.

 

[Shelbysoobs]

Best I can figure the chicks are right now about 33 days old. They should be fully feathered. The coldest they will see in the next few weeks is in the 50's. Based on temperature they can go out today.

It sounds like they will be isolated from your other chickens so they will not be integrated until you get back. Integration would be my concern, not those temperatures.

we will be doing the “look no touch” method until I return, so they will be integrated by the time I’m back but unable to hurt each other while I’m gone. I just build a little chicken wire enclosure to give them their own food and water and safe space until I can tell they’re ready. This method has always worked well for me so far.

They look close to fully feathered but not there yet. Still a little scraggly ann looking, but I guess in hindsight I’ve had other pullets look scraggly still when they moved outside. My last batch of pullets were done feathering out earlier than these though.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would begin transitioning them outside immediately. Your temperatures are agreeable and the chicks are old enough and feathered enough. If they're not already off heat in the brooder I'd start with that, then ease them into being outdoors by putting them out for progressively longer periods over the next few days, with the goal of having them out full time a couple of days before you leave (at latest) to ensure they handle sheltering for night without issue.

 

[Shelbysoobs]

I would begin transitioning them outside immediately. Your temperatures are agreeable and the chicks are old enough and feathered enough. If they're not already off heat in the brooder I'd start with that, then ease them into being outdoors by putting them out for progressively longer periods over the next few days, with the goal of having them out full time a couple of days before you leave (at latest) to ensure they handle sheltering for night without issue.

Thanks!! We moved them they were very excited about it. Today was a warm night. The 3 still in the brooder because they were too small to move were sad to lose their friends at first but moved on quickly. They are glad to have the extra space.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks!! We moved them they were very excited about it. Today was a warm night. The 3 still in the brooder because they were too small to move were sad to lose their friends at first but moved on quickly. They are glad to have the extra space.

The 3 inside will definitely appreciate the extra space, and will be old enough to rejoin the others once you get back, so that should work well.

 

[Shelbysoobs]

The 3 inside will definitely appreciate the extra space, and will be old enough to rejoin the others once you get back, so that should work well.

Thank you!!! I think so too. Here are the cuties enjoying their new digs.