Moving Cornish Crosses Outside

[danalovesdogs]

When is the earliest I can safely move CX chicks outside? I have 9 2-week olds that I'm itching to move into their run, but the weather in my area has been averaging highs in the 50s and lows in the upper 30s. A local farmer told me that they are good down to 30 degrees at 3 weeks of age. Is that true, or is it more dependent on feathering of the individual birds? TIA

 

[wyoDreamer]

They need to be fully feathered if they do not have a source of warmth. If you can provide a heat source, you can brood them outside from day 1. I brood my chicks in the barn with a heating pad set-up. I also have a heat plate that works well also. My chicks are usually fully feathered by 4 weeks.