Moving 6 weeks old chicks to pasture need advice

[chicksheart]

Hi chicken experts! New to raising chickens and I need some advice on procedures to move our 6 week old chicks to the great outdoors full time. I have been putting them outside in the run during daylight nice weather for several weeks and then putting them back in the brooder at night. They will be housed in a covered coop area and have an electric shock or not poultry neeting run set up for them. We have cross hatched strings through out the run to prevent aerial predators. There are 7 of them. 2 roosters and 5 hens. - Buff Orpingtons> I several questions: Night time temperatures are in the mid 60's - is this warm enough ? If not how warm does the night temps need to be. : Is it ok for their feet to be wet from rain/ dew on the grass? I had read that you needed to keep chicks feet dry up to 7-8 weeks> is that a true statement? Do they need access to feed 24/7 in addition to the grass they will be eating? How old do they need to be to move them to pellet feed? Whew- its tough but joyful being a new chickie parent! Thanks in advance for any wisdom shared.

 

[chickens really]

Put them outside. They will be fine.

 

[coloradowildflower]

Plenty warm enough. I like to give them a light/ heat in the coop if they are used to a light/heat in the brooder, that way they can self-regulate their temps at night.

Their feet will be just fine, as long as they're not wet all day, every day. A little dew won't hurt them.

Yes, they'll still need feed. The grass won't be nutritionally complete for them. Access to food at least 12 hrs a day--in the run or in the coop. I like to keep the feed and water in the coop for the first few days, because it gives them motivation to go up during the day, which teaches them to go up at night.

I use crumbles until 16 weeks or until they start making a huge mess with their crumbles and are big enough to eat pellets.

Ask away! That's what BYC is for!

 

[chicksheart]

thank you so very much for the information from an expert! makes me feel a little less unsure of myself to know I have access to wisdom from those who have done this before

 

[coloradowildflower]

You're doing great! We all started with lots of questions. Please reach out if you have any more! Good luck with your flock--they'll bring you years of joy!