Moving outside

[Chickens for Pa]

I am new to the world of chickens. My chicks are 6 weeks old. I have had them inside a barn with a heat light. How do I know when they are ok to move outside?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. There's no exact age at which chicks are fine to go outside. It depends on your night time temperatures, their breed (that can influence the feathering development) among other things. In theory, by now your chicks should be fine to go outside.

What you may wish to consider doing is putting the chicks outside for increasing periods of time during the day, and turning off the heat source during the night. This should help begin to acclimatise them to the cooler temperatures. Here's a search on threads that should give you more info -
https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Brooder+to+coop

You'll find lots of info in the Learning Centre - https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center and if you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread#post_3239224

All the best
CT

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Chickens for Pa

Welcome!

As I only have experience raising chicks under a broody hen outside in a warm climate and you have received great advice from Ken, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[The Angry Hen]

Hello,
I would suggest making sure they are comfortable with changes first and that they trust you.
I hate the thought of my chickens flying away.

Try setting up another area in the barn but with different things, like a different water feeder and different
food. Then put them in it, see how they react...
Then try outside.


I've learned the hard way KEEP THEM WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM!
I wasn't around one time and a fox got two of my guinea fowl...

I hate hawks but I never had a problem with them with poultry and I don't won't to either.

I don't want to ramble

but you can also put some grass in the barn with dirt.
I recently found out the hard way that they could get sick if they digest to much grass without dirt.

Good luck!
-The Angry Hen

P.S
You will love the world of feathers!