Ok to leave little ones outside under these conditions?

[KeiL]

I have 2 chicks that are 2 weeks old. They've been in a brooder inside using a Brinsea EcoGlow20 for warmth. My husband just finished an extension on our outdoor coop and made it so it could be closed off from the rest of the coop where we have 3, six week olds. I brought the babies outside twice today and they love it (and I love that the bigger girls are getting a chance to get used to them without being able to get to them). I'm wondering if it would be ok to leave them out here all the time since I have electricity to keep the Brinsea going. I'm in Southern California and our nighttime temps are in the upper 50's to low 60's. Day times have been hot this week - up to 92. I could easily cover the extended run with a tarp or blanket to provide shade during the day and block breezes at night. Good idea or be patient and keep them inside for a few more weeks?

 

[GitaBooks]

I have 17 chicks that were kept outside their whole lives. I put them into the barn, in a brooder, with a heat light, and they do fine. It did almost flood in the rain, but we managed to bail out the water.

If you are sure that predators, drafts, rain or wind won't be a problem, and that you can heat the enclosure properly, then moving them out should be fine. If it gets hot during the day then it can also be dangerous, as chicks can't survive in as hot temperatures as adults can.
At around 4 weeks they should be feathered out, though you could probably do it at 3 weeks.

Good luck!