need some advice!!

[MarkJr]

i don’t know the exact temp of their brooder, i bought one of the brooder heating plates from TSC and they’ve never huddled up to it or exhibited behavior that indicates over heating. i think 80-90 with the sun we have here is a lot different than being im

wow really?? this is my first flock and i genuinely thought they had to be 6 weeks before going into a coop set up!

Confine them enough so they can’t lose the heating plate when they need it. Observe. If all they do is huddle under the plate then they are too cold. I am doubting this is the case though. My broody brings 2 day old chicks outside in 65 degree weather. They play for ten minutes. Warm for ten. Off they go again.

 

[cheecharrones]

thanks for all your responses guys! this is my first post on BYC and the handful of replies i got on here were so much more valuable than the (literal) HOURS i’ve spent googling this issue lol

 

[MarkJr]

Welcome to BYC!!!!!

 

[NatJ]

Standard chick-raising advice:
Provide 95 degree temperature the first week, reducing by 5 degrees each week.
That would be 90 degrees at week two, 85 degrees at week three, 80 degrees at week four.

So your outdoor temperatures are just about PERFECT for the age of your chicks.

(People sometimes say that chicks can be raised safely, and be healthier, at somewhat lower temperatures than the standard advice. But it's at least close to right.)

The advice to keep them indoors until they are "fully feathered" is also directed at cold weather. If someone was talking about putting 3 week old chicks outside with no heat in an Alaskan winter--we'd tell them to wait.

The chicks need the right amount of feathers for the temperature where they live. Yours have enough feathers for your climate right now.

Put them outside and let them play!

Yes, make sure they have shade. No, do not give them an air conditioner. Do not lock them up in an airless box of a coop, either. Give them lots of ventilation--maybe just a roof and no solid walls (use hardware cloth to keep out predators.)

But you and the chicks will be much happier if you get them moved outside as soon as possible.

 

[One Lucky Momma]

If you AC the coop they’ll never acclimate to the outside.

Water and shade are essential, plus the predator precautions; they will LOVE being outside, and you will love being with them being outside! At their age, it’s a good thing they’re wanting more! Enjoy.

 

[JonRigby2005]

I'm in Central Florida. I moved mine to the outside coop at 4 weeks. They're 9 weeks now, and have been happy since moving out. They spend a lot of time under the lemon tree, under the trampoline, and will go back in their run and relax in the shade after a while of roaming around the backyard. They seem to enjoy themselves, lol.

 

[cheecharrones]

Standard chick-raising advice:
Provide 95 degree temperature the first week, reducing by 5 degrees each week.
That would be 90 degrees at week two, 85 degrees at week three, 80 degrees at week four.

So your outdoor temperatures are just about PERFECT for the age of your chicks.

(People sometimes say that chicks can be raised safely, and be healthier, at somewhat lower temperatures than the standard advice. But it's at least close to right.)

The advice to keep them indoors until they are "fully feathered" is also directed at cold weather. If someone was talking about putting 3 week old chicks outside with no heat in an Alaskan winter--we'd tell them to wait.

The chicks need the right amount of feathers for the temperature where they live. Yours have enough feathers for your climate right now.

Put them outside and let them play!

Yes, make sure they have shade. No, do not give them an air conditioner. Do not lock them up in an airless box of a coop, either. Give them lots of ventilation--maybe just a roof and no solid walls (use hardware cloth to keep out predators.)

But you and the chicks will be much happier if you get them moved outside as soon as possible.

thank you!!! great info! i believe their wings are fully feathered, their heads are still downy, and their all starting to loose down/get feathers on the neck area. tail feathers as well. our coop is actually a repurposed shed (10x10) with a vent, 1 window, and double doors. what do you think about letting them out and about but leaving the coop doors wide open?

 

[cheecharrones]

I'm in Central Florida. I moved mine to the outside coop at 4 weeks. They're 9 weeks now, and have been happy since moving out. They spend a lot of time under the lemon tree, under the trampoline, and will go back in their run and relax in the shade after a while of roaming around the backyard. They seem to enjoy themselves, lol.

thank you!!! i was under the impression i had to keep them inside, in the brooder until 6 weeks old with no wiggle room

 

[cheecharrones]

If you AC the coop they’ll never acclimate to the outside.

Water and shade are essential, plus the predator precautions; they will LOVE being outside, and you will love being with them being outside! At their age, it’s a good thing they’re wanting more! Enjoy.

gotcha, thank you!! ice water a good idea? to help them cool down more?

 

[ButtNugs]

In my run I put 3 mini fans during the summer I also live in Florida

It’s more of the humidity the temp is fine but I put the fans to get air flow and they made it fine during our summer here in N Fla the summer heat index hit 110 for about 3 weeks, also I have a bunch of shady spots in the run