Outside with baby chicks

[Fruitloopz]

I just received my 25 chicks in the mail this morning! Its in the 80's outside today, so I put them in their cage with the proper lighting...everything is right but I am concerned about the breeze. I am keeping an eye on the temperature, which is right around 90. Everything is great, but still there is a warm breeze. I'm obviously stressing this breeze thing. I go thru this every time I get a new flock.

Oh, I did cover most of the cage with a light tarp, they are next to my silkies so the (light) wind is not directly on them.

 

[gritsar]

Need to keep the breeze off of them. Good rule of thumb to follow - if they are moving around, sometimes under their heat lamp, sometimes not, not peeping loudly and not bunching up (except for naps), they are most likely fine.
If, on the other hand, they are bunched up, peeping loudly they are cold. As far away from the heat lamp as possible, little wings out, sometimes panting, they are too warm.

 

[dumb_cluck]

I would keep them INDOORS in a brooder with a heat lamp for at least 1 to 2 weeks before putting them outdoors. They are just babies and cannot control their body heat.

I personally would wait until they are feathered to let them out for any extended period of time.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I think different rules apply here in the South. I have chicks due to arrive Thursday or Friday. Their brooder is on the screened porch, with a draft guard and heat lamp. Chances are I won't even need the heat lamp during the day - the porch thermometer right now reads 93 degrees (in the shade!). Two, three weeks max. and they will be out in the coop with the big birds (seperated by wire of course) and learning to deal with the heat, just like the big birds.
The OP doesn't list a location, but with temps. like those stated I don't see a problem with them being outside.

I'll also be taking my chicks out in the yard on non-windy days from their first week. I waited until 2 1/2 weeks with the last chicks, but they arrived in April, not June.

 

[EggSpudition]

I imagine they would be okay so long as it's just limited amounts of time in the cooler temps. Besides they love lolling around in the grass!