Outside

[babyrnlc]

I have a question. We have 5 chicks, they are between 3-4 weeks old. They are in a brooder inside with a 100w heat lamp that is turned down about half way. I may turn it down even more because they tend to sleep away from the lamp lately.

Our weather has gotten pretty warm. (high 6o's and 70's all week). We let the chicks play in a pen yesterday for a couple of hours. They loved it, they did not seem cold at all (no lamp). So I was wondering, if it stays warm and dry like this, could I get a cage for outside and let them play during the day outside in it (have a shelter they could go in and shade), and then bring the cage into the shed at night with a heat lamp? (It gets to the 50's at night)

They are getting so big for the brooder and the smell is getting strong. I have to clean it twice a day. They are trying to fly and look too cramped. They had so much fun outside yesterday.

What do you think?

 

[Lark Rise]

Quote:
Wow, this was the EXACT same question I came to post! Ours went outside for the first time yesterday to play and they were so happy!
I'll be watching this thread.

 

[Pagan Prince]

Sounds like it's time to let the "Grow up" ...

Once they get to 70 degrees and below, with reasonable feather coverage and enough to "Huddle" .... Should they not be OK at %0 degrees at night ? JMHO

 

[babyrnlc]

Quote:
Wow, this was the EXACT same question I came to post! Ours went outside for the first time yesterday to play and they were so happy!
I'll be watching this thread.

Lol, glad I am not the only one. We had a blizzard and record cold weather last week, now we are super warm with no sign of getting cold again!

 

[Lark Rise]

I just looked at your avatar. What kind of chicks do you have? We have lavender orpingtons.
It's been warming up all week and I've been wondering if they can start staying in the shed with a 250 W red light. Right now they are under a 75W reptile red light. They have be very active in the house making dust everywhere and I have to clean at least twice a day.

 

[babyrnlc]

Quote:
They are EE. They are funny little things, but they are getting big. They keep trying to dust bathe in the wood chips. They had soooooo much fun outside.

I keep thinking if there was a momma hen taking care of them, they would not fit under here anymore lol. They are HUGE!

 

[Lark Rise]

Quote:
They are EE. They are funny little things, but they are getting big. They keep trying to dust bathe in the wood chips. They had soooooo much fun outside.

I keep thinking if there was a momma hen taking care of them, they would not fit under here anymore lol. They are HUGE!

Ours are getting big, too. 2 we think are roosters as they are noticeably larger and get into fights with each other, and yes, our are taking dust baths too, but in their dried poop!

 

[BooBear]

My 2 week olds are now in the main big brooder hutch outside which has a tone of room for them. There is a 100 watt lamp setup for them to warm up under as they need it.
If they have all their juvenile feathers then they don't really need the lamp anymore.

A fun treat for the chicks is taking a frisbee and filling it with sand for them to play in. At first they peck at it, then the dust bathing begins. It is fun to watch em playing in the sand.

 

[Lark Rise]

DH is setting up the lamp in the shed right now. I'm going to miss having them in the house, but they are getting so big and making such a mess. They were basking in the sun this afternoon, taking dust baths and loving being outside. Just so very adorable!

 

[chkinut]

i have two 5-week olds and two 3-week olds and they have been living outside 24/7 since the weekend. the 1st couple nights i put the heat lamp out in their lil coop....but it's really warmed up here lately, so they haven't had a heat lamp for a couple nights now. they huddle together and i close their tiny coop up at night. they LOVE it outside! and i love for them to BE outside!!