Moving chicks outside?

[whquint09]

I have 9 chicks that are 3-4 weeks old. They are starting to outgrow my brooder, and was wondering if it would be safe to go ahead and put them outside in the coop? There are no other birds in the coop. I have access to two heat lamps that I can run out there if need be. The coop is about 8x10 ft (Its an old greenhouse).

 

[sassychicken79]

What are your temps like outside right now?are the feathered out?

 

[azelgin]

You have to keep them out of a draft. I move mine to the coop pretty early, but my coop can be closed up as tight as most houses. I give them two heat lamps. One is on all the time, the other is on a thermostat. Mostly the second light is a back up, in case #1 burns out and I don't catch it in time.
When they reach about 8 weeks, they should be fully feathered and good to go without any heat (unless you're someplace really cold).

 

[CedardaySprings]

Our chicks never live in a draft free environment.

We move them outdoors at 8 weeks old. No Heating/Cooling even in extreme weather conditions. Only protection is Roofing, Siding on North East, and Chicken Wires for the rest.

We only raise hardy birds. mostly naturally born and raised by hens. We use an incubator in the winter. Even then chicks are in primitive barn with a brooder lamps.

The more fresh air, the healthier they are.

 

[whquint09]

its been in the 40's or 50's lately. Supposed to be in the 70's this weekend. There's not much wind that could get through it, but it is by no means buttoned up tight.

 

[whquint09]

and all of them have about half to 3/4 of their feathers.

 

[azelgin]

The more fresh air, the healthier they are.

I'm pretty sure they're not standing in an open doorway. There is a difference between fresh air and drafty. I like fresh air in the house, but I don't set my favorite chair in font of an open window during a snow storm.