I've seen this question asked numerous times, so I apologize. I have 8 chicks, about 5 weeks old that I've been brooding inside my house. Original plan was to move them into the barn in a temporary coop for a few weeks, then into the big coop. Coop plans have changed, and we ended up putting the temporary coop outside attached to the small run.
So, here's my question: The chicks have yet to go outside at all. They stay very warm in their room, I have had them off heat for just over a week, keep window open at all times, a bit less at night. Night time temps here are 40's - 50's, but we do have a couple of nights coming up in the 30's. Daytime temps 60's - 80's (not so concerned about that). The spring winds here can be brutal, and I don't want to stress my chicks too much.
I am going to attempt to put them outside for a bit at at time over the next week, and then want to put them out for good. Do I lock them in the coop? Do I let them come and go during the day and then lock them up at night? Will they need heat? Etc. etc etc
So, here's my question: The chicks have yet to go outside at all. They stay very warm in their room, I have had them off heat for just over a week, keep window open at all times, a bit less at night. Night time temps here are 40's - 50's, but we do have a couple of nights coming up in the 30's. Daytime temps 60's - 80's (not so concerned about that). The spring winds here can be brutal, and I don't want to stress my chicks too much.
I am going to attempt to put them outside for a bit at at time over the next week, and then want to put them out for good. Do I lock them in the coop? Do I let them come and go during the day and then lock them up at night? Will they need heat? Etc. etc etc
