Outdoor ready?

[FortCluck]

If you have older birds they should teach them everything they need to know. I let mine out with the flock at around 12 weeks but they are in a mini run inside the fenced in area from day 1 if its warm enough.

When I did free range without a fence, my chicks were about the same age as yours and they did perfectly fine.

 

[OkieSLW]

If you have older birds they should teach them everything they need to know. I let mine out with the flock at around 12 weeks but they are in a mini run inside the fenced in area from day 1 if its warm enough.

When I did free range without a fence, my chicks were about the same age as yours and they did perfectly fine.

Do you have any tips on how to get them back in the Coop?

 

[FortCluck]

Do you have any tips on how to get them back in the Coop?

I left mine in the coop for a few days before I let them out so that they knew it was home. I think it took mine 3 days then I let them loose with everyone else and they went in every night with the others.

 

[OkieSLW]

I left mine in the coop for a few days before I let them out so that they knew it was home. I think it took mine 3 days then I let them loose with everyone else and they went in every night with the others.

I just now stopped using the heat lamp. I'm going to give them to a couple days before I move them permeantly.

 

[15WildTurkey]

Having total confidence in your coop security at night is great. I feel the same. It’s bulletproof. But would you consider building them a run for when you aren’t around? I live on 6 secluded acres. My flock is only out properly free ranging when I’m home. I’m home a lot and generally know where they are. But I’ve lost 2 of my original flock to a neighbors dogs that got out. One to a hawk in the snow. And 3 one afternoon when I was home outside on the other side of the house. I’ll never know what it was but my flock was shaken up for days and my rooster left feathers at every kill sight trying his best. Everyone here can tell you stories of predation. While I do feel like free ranging is worth the risks for at least part of the day I like having a run that’s covered in aviary netting for when I’m not home. Just my 2 cents. I have 3 SLWs too. They are great birds. Lollipop is the most talkative chicken I’ve ever had.

 

[aart]

The outside Temp has changed. 40 at night and 75 at day. I have them in my garage with a heat lamp almost done with coop.

How old are they, in weeks?
Have you started weaning them off the heat lamp?
Is the garage heated at all?

You'll want to leave them confined to the coop for at least a week or two before allowing them to free range so they know where 'home' is.
Start ranging late in day, an hour before roost time, so they don't go far and you can see if the get back into coop OK.

I too recommend having a secure run for safety in case of a predator event,
but the risk is up to you.

 

[OkieSLW]

Having total confidence in your coop security at night is great. I feel the same. It’s bulletproof. But would you consider building them a run for when you aren’t around? I live on 6 secluded acres. My flock is only out properly free ranging when I’m home. I’m home a lot and generally know where they are. But I’ve lost 2 of my original flock to a neighbors dogs that got out. One to a hawk in the snow. And 3 one afternoon when I was home outside on the other side of the house. I’ll never know what it was but my flock was shaken up for days and my rooster left feathers at every kill sight trying his best. Everyone here can tell you stories of predation. While I do feel like free ranging is worth the risks for at least part of the day I like having a run that’s covered in aviary netting for when I’m not home. Just my 2 cents. I have 3 SLWs too. They are great birds. Lollipop is the most talkative chicken I’ve ever had.

I am definitely going to look up some plans for some runs. I definitely have grown attached to them. I do live in town, next to a bottom. Do you have any recommendations on size?

 

[OkieSLW]

How old are they, in weeks?
Have you started weaning them off the heat lamp?
Is the garage heated at all?

You'll want to leave them confined to the coop for at least a week or two before allowing them to free range so they know where 'home' is.
Start ranging late in day, an hour before roost time, so they don't go far and you can see if the get back into coop OK.

I too recommend having a secure run for safety in case of a predator event,
but the risk is up to you.

They are over five weeks old. I have them in a brooder I made in my garage.The garage not heated (Oklahoma) .I open it in the morning so they get good ventaltion and sun.Im definitely considering building a run.

 

[aart]

They are over five weeks old. I have them in a brooder I made in my garage.The garage not heated (Oklahoma) .I open it in the morning so they get good ventaltion and sun.

What kind of heat did you use for the chicks and are you still using it?
Moving them to the coop should be easy as long as it's dry, windproof, and big enough.

 

[OkieSLW]

What kind of heat did you use for the chicks and are you still using it?
Moving them to the coop should be easy as long as it's dry, windproof, and big enough.

I used a heat lamp. I took them off it a few days ago. I only turn it on when it freezes. my coop 48'x72' I only have four birds. That should be plenty of space.