Old enough for outside ???

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

Ok..so..usuallyI brood late spring thru late summer and never have to worry about temps when I move the babies outside. However, I am beyond ready for this group ti be outside. I have 4BR babies that REFUSE to stay in the brooder and will jump out, comr out of the chick room and hunt me down wherever i am in the house. Im not sure exactly how old they are, but around 6 weeks. They will have their heating pad mom in their outside coop as well. Hopefully I'm attaching a pic of our forecast and the babies..

 

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

This is what it looks like here today... My day olds went out to the coop last week at 4 days old. A heat lamp and some deep shavings. I am in Canada, the temps here have been well below 0 all week and all the chicks are thriving and doing well. So I think you can definitely put them out Mine will have the light turned off by 4 weeks AND be outside...but the temps are supposed to come up above zero and stay there after tomorrow I hope.

Thank you! Thats exaxtly what i was looking for. I dont use heat lamps but it stays very warm inside their heating pad "moms" and most by 2 weeks dont even go under, just lay on top. I have their outdoor brooder windows closed off, tons of straw and pine shavings.. you just took a huge weight off my shoulders and I definitely feel way less guilty about leaving them out..

 

[azygous]

Boy, do they have your number! Chicks are devious creatures.

I've brooded right outdoors in my run, using the heating pad system, during this time of year when the day temps aren't over 50F and night temps are in the 30s. This is day-olds of which I speak. They do splendidly.

Have you adjusted your frame supporting your heating pad to accommodate the chicks' larger size so they are able to fit under the pad if they need to warm up? Will they all fit if they want to get under it at the same time?

Did you gradually decrease the ambient temperature while your chicks were still indoors so they could acclimate to cooler temps?

These things are necessary for a smooth transition to living outdoors.

 

[NCcitychicken]

I'm gonna share this pic I saved from PD riverman. I use a similar setup with a cardboard box. I like his better because it has a skirt and is raised off the ground which I believe is to,keep chicks from being piled on and smashed. I like his design. If and when I go larger with my flock I'll do the same. It's a barrel split in two with a lightbulb and a skirt. My dad tought me the box trick and this is an upgrade on the same principle. Two nights ago it was raining like crazy and 35 degrees, other nights it's been below freezing. My box is in the coop outside with two week olds and they are happy as can be.

 

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

I'm gonna share this pic I saved from PD riverman. I use a similar setup with a cardboard box. I like his better because it has a skirt and is raised off the ground which I believe is to,keep chicks from being piled on and smashed. I like his design. If and when I go larger with my flock I'll do the same. It's a barrel split in two with a lightbulb and a skirt. My dad tought me the box trick and this is an upgrade on the same principle. Two nights ago it was raining like crazy and 35 degrees, other nights it's been below freezing. My box is in the coop outside with two week olds and they are happy as can be.

That is hands down the best "new" idea that i have seen in a really long time..and I happen to have several old barrels just sitting around (knew my barrel racing days would come in handy..lol)

 

[harleydee]

Interested to see the replies


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cabincreations]

This is what it looks like here today...
My day olds went out to the coop last week at 4 days old. A heat lamp and some deep shavings. I am in Canada, the temps here have been well below 0 all week and all the chicks are thriving and doing well. So I think you can definitely put them out Mine will have the light turned off by 4 weeks AND be outside...but the temps are supposed to come up above zero and stay there after tomorrow I hope.

 

[cabincreations]

Here's a pic I just took. Notice the thermometer on the brooder wall. It is away from the light. So reflects more the temperature in the hen house

 

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

Well...they're out there. I still feel guilty and they're all acting like dummies..refusing to go up top where the heat is. Ill wait till theyre scared right about dark n hopefully they'll stay put. They were flying back down on my head faster than i couod catch and move them..lol. I think they'll be fine, but brooder is right outside my bedroom window just in case.Now if I could convince the new babies that theyre not really meant to be carried in my hoodie and to stop screaming in the brooder we'll be okay

 

[cabincreations]

LOL Spoiled babies those are! They will be fine, I am sure it is warmer there than here, and mine don't get heat after they have feathers. Don't be feeling guilty...they will be fine!