Moving Outside!

[BunnyChickenMomma]

We have 4 Buff Orpington chicks who are 6.5 weeks old. Where we live the daily temps are around 60-65 and the nighttime temps are between 40-50. The coop is ready for the girls - but when will my girls be ready for the outside world? Any tips on how to move them outside with the least amount of stress on them? Thanks so much!

 

[Saveria]

If they are fully feathered they should be fine, but you can keep a heat source of some kind out there if you are concerned or see an especially cold night. Just make sure it is fire safe.

 

[BunnyChickenMomma]

I...think they are fully feathered? It's my first time raising chickens, but they look pretty feathery.

 

[Ittybittyschmidtie]

I...think they are fully feathered? It's my first time raising chickens, but they look pretty feathery.

Provide pictures if you can!

I just put my 15 out at 5 1/2-6 weeks and I was pretty scared but surprisingly I think they were ready to move into their home because of how excited they were flapping around

 

[Saveria]

You can post pictures if you want to be sure.

I usually just watch them closely once they are out to make sure everyone's energy levels stay the same and there are no signs of illness, but they are usually fine.

 

[Ittybittyschmidtie]

We have 4 Buff Orpington chicks who are 6.5 weeks old. I live in the Midwest, so daily temps are around 60-65 and the nighttime temps are between 40-50. The coop is ready for the girls - but when will my girls be ready for the outside world? Any tips on how to move them outside with the least amount of stress on them? Thanks so much!

have you done field trips yet? Taking them outdoors?

 

[BunnyChickenMomma]

Not yet! I wasn't sure if it was warm enough. Any advice on field trips?

have you done field trips yet? Taking them outdoors?

 

[BunnyChickenMomma]

Provide pictures if you can!

I just put my 15 out at 5 1/2-6 weeks and I was pretty scared but surprisingly I think they were ready to move into their home because of how excited they were flapping around

They are asleep now, but these are my babies two weeks ago (4 weeks old):

 

[McChooky]

I put 15 chicks out today after finishing their new coop. To make it warm and cozy I added pine shavings on the floor and suspended a ceramic heater from the ceiling.It was part of the run before I converted it to coop. My chickens will be surprised to see the chicks in the morning. The other half of my runs connected but a wall and door separates the two. They'll be 4 weeks old Tuesday (zone 5)

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have the chicks been fully weaned off heat and if so, for how long? Given the temperatures and the age of the chicks, as long as they're off heat (which they should be) you can just put them out in the coop, lock it up, and walk away.