Moving 6 wk old chicks outside in New Hampshire

[snikrs11]

Morning!
I live in New Hampshire and would like to know if I can safely move my babies outside. They are 6 week old White Plymouth Rocks with all their feathers. They've been in my basement at approx 63-64 degrees.
1. Should I maintain a "low" temp in the coop? Someone at Tractor Supply told me make sure it doesn't go below 60 degrees.
2. Can a fluctuation in temp make them sick? When testing the temp of the coop it got up to 79 during the day with the sun then down to 55 overnight.

I apologize if this question is out there. It's hard to search for New Hampshire when I want the state but get New Hampshire Red results. Someone on here said there was state of New Hampshire thread they followed, can someone send me the link?


thank You, enjoy your day

 

[jthornton]

Search in Where am I where are you section.

Cackle Hatchery chick care guide.

If they are fully feathered 55 is nothing for a chicken.

JT

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Mine are 7 weeks, and they have been out in the coop for a week now. I actually asked this same question. Lol.
It has gotten up to 70 here, and down to 40 at night, and mine seem to be doing well. I have buff orpingtons and black stars. Someone here recommended putting a huddle box in, so that they could use it if they wanted, for extra warmth, but they didn't seem to need it.
The only time I added supplemental heat was last night, because it dipped down to 23 degrees.

 

[renk777]

We moved ours out over a week ago. They were 7 weeks. Temps at night dipped below 40 but not by much. We even got snow. Prior to placing them outside, I'd keep windows open during the day to acclimate them to somewhat colder temps. I also packed their tractor nesting area with straw and shavings. # of birds makes a difference. We have 11. They use each other for warmth. We tarped back of tractor and box to prevent any drafts and added another heavy duty tarp over entire thing for when it rained / snowed so that they wouldn't get wet. They seem very happy out there despite the colder days/nights....running around in the open portion and not huddled in a corner. As long as you have more than 5 or 6 birds, protect from drafts and moisture, at 7 weeks, they should be fine

 

[RNPAULIE69]

Where are you in NH?

 

[pasuit]

Morning!
I live in New Hampshire and would like to know if I can safely move my babies outside. They are 6 week old White Plymouth Rocks with all their feathers. They've been in my basement at approx 63-64 degrees.
1. Should I maintain a "low" temp in the coop? Someone at Tractor Supply told me make sure it doesn't go below 60 degrees.
2. Can a fluctuation in temp make them sick? When testing the temp of the coop it got up to 79 during the day with the sun then down to 55 overnight.

I apologize if this question is out there. It's hard to search for New Hampshire when I want the state but get New Hampshire Red results. Someone on here said there was state of New Hampshire thread they followed, can someone send me the link?


thank You, enjoy your day

 

[pasuit]

Your temps should be ok.

 

[snikrs11]

Where are you in NH?

Middleton

 

[AmyLT]

We live in MA we got our chicks on March 15 I can not wait to send them outside it has only been 45-47 here during the day and low 40s high 30s at night do you think it is too early to send them out to the coop. I’m sick of them flying everywhere

 

[renk777]

We live in MA we got our chicks on March 15 I can not wait to send them outside it has only been 45-47 here during the day and low 40s high 30s at night do you think it is too early to send them out to the coop. I’m sick of them flying everywhere

Get a lid... Hahahaha We got our chicks the 2nd week in February so even when they had all their feathers, we had to keep them inside. They outgrew the brooder (largest bin Walmart had available last year for our first hatch) and so I had to buy a 2 X 6 X 2 steel stock tank and we schlepped it up to the attic. Folded up an X-pen from our dogs so that 2 panels cover the tank and the door to the x-pen gives us easy access. I keep the attic door locked so cats aren't a worry. And it's cooler up there so it helped acclimate them to the cold...as did opening a window during the day. Though that wasn't fun for me as my office is in the attic and I had to work in those conditions LOL Regardless...you can't do much about the dust but to contain the flying...get a lid