My chicks are four weeks, are they ready?

[rosemarythyme]

How long does it take to acclimate? Mine are three weeks old.. they have been inside and it’s pretty warm in there.. I put them out to play on warmer days and they seem to get chilled fairly quickly.. I was gonna put them out tomorrow but put the heat light where they can warm up if needed.. also, have been turning the light off at times during the day..

If they act like they're cold outside then they may need more time inside or at least with some supplemental heat. Gradually reduce how much heat they're getting each day (either by raising lamp or turning it off for longer periods of time) and continue putting them out when you can, weather permitting. Assuming temperatures don't fluctuate too much you can probably wean them off heat completely after a week or so.

If you need them out ASAP but still want to supplement heat, then make sure the heat lamp is at least VERY well secured and start reducing the length of time it's on from there.

 

[Catherine Hughes]

I am still fairly new to chickens, but have raised a few babies. I have left mine inside until they are fully feathered, around 8 weeks. I have some Rhode Island Red chicks in my brooder now that are 4 weeks old and they don't look to me like they are at all ready to go outside. But, I live in Indiana and it is still chilly at night here.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

Well... If a hen mother has brooded them, she takes them outside from day 1, so...

 

[woodmort]

Chicks tend to be a lot hardier than we give them credit for. Give them a few days without brooder heat and, if they seem to acclimate there(i.e. don't huddle up), give them some outside time with monitoring. BTW, I've noticed the faster you bring down the heat in your brooder the faster the chicks will feather out so it tends to be less of a matter of age as to when they can be allowed outside,

 

[DrakeMom]

If you turn on a heat lamp for them at night they should be fine!

 

[DrakeMom]

If you turn on a heat lamp for them at night they should be fine!

Also here in Texas in the summer and spring they are outside from they day we bring them home!

 

[frackmomma]

I acclimated mine off the heat lamp inside (70 degrees) for a few days then put them in the garage (at about 5 weeks old) for a week with a heat lamp again (40 degrees) then turned the heat lamp off after a week of that. They were about 6-7 weeks old when I got them completely off heat, they still snuggle at night, its so cute.
They are 9 weeks old now and are ready to go outside! Just don't rush it and you won't end up with stressed out birds. Take your time

 

[Grits&Eggs]

I am struggling with the same question, mine are 4 weeks now and i gave them two different heights of roosts and during the day (not at night) they are roosting and jumping up and down off the roosts, when I pick them up their feet are cold, but they are having a fun time! Mine are heading out this weekend

 

[LeoPig]

Mine are four weeks also, and have been sleeping inside because it's too cold at night (or I'm just a little overprotective), but exploring outside after work and school. The chickies really love being outdoors; they know where they belong!

 

[WhoDatChick]

If they act like they're cold outside then they may need more time inside or at least with some supplemental heat. Gradually reduce how much heat they're getting each day (either by raising lamp or turning it off for longer periods of time) and continue putting them out when you can, weather permitting. Assuming temperatures don't fluctuate too much you can probably wean them off heat completely after a week or so.

If you need them out ASAP but still want to supplement heat, then make sure the heat lamp is at least VERY well secured and start reducing the length of time it's on from there.

Thank you! I put them out early this morning... they stayed out all day.. I had the heat lamp on one end in case they needed it... they were fine! Just a bit ago I moved them to a “brooder” on the porch.. with the heat lamp.. so I think we are good!