My chicks turn 4 weeks tomorrow and are quite feathered out so I was wondering if I could bring them outside for 5-10 minutes today to play in the grass? It is going to be close to 70 degrees today and sunny. I just want to make sure they will be ok for a little while. Or should I wait another week?
I started taking mine out at 3 weeks I think. For an hour or so a day. We would dig up termites and bugs for them and they would go crazy!! They love to be outside. I think you should.
i took my chicks out at 2 weeks old for a whole day and they are 3weeks today and they are in there coop out side now so i would say go ahead and do it
Mine are outside (almost 5 & 6 weeks) and its been in the 60s - they are having a great time - even found a worm (that was funny).
My cornish rocks went out for a couple hours a day around 3 weeks old, when i was brave enough to let them out of their brooder and I was sure I could recatch them. My Rhode Island Reds have been going out since 2 weeks for a couple hours a day again, these guys are more fiesty than the cornishes so i made sure i could catch them. They love the outside, i just wouldn't leave them unattended if they are loose. They probably be ok in a coop by themselves
As long as its dry and moderately warm (60's and up) I would say go ahead. I usually start putting mine out at 3 weeks. The silkies have to stay in a little longer but thats cause they don't have feathers like most other chickens.
I say go for it. I've had my 3 weels olds out during the day for the past week. Yesterday, it was even close to 50 degrees and they still wanted to go out. After a while, they'd get cold and go back into the coop to warm up under the light and take a nap but when they woke they went right back out. Even my chicks under a week old come out for a few minutes.
I want to do this, but can't figure out a way to keep them 'contained' in the yard...(our immediate back yard is 5 acres) and I don't want to chase chicks all over the place (too many hiding spots!) soooo not sure what to use to keep them contained...suggestions??? my friend was going to lend me her X-pen, but she's at a dog show this weekend and I'm not sure if the holes are too big (allowing the chicks to slip thru and get out?)
Quote:Yeah I let the big girls out and the little ones get the run - they are still tough to catch, but my hubby (who plays gruff but is really sweet) and sons had them eating from their hands yesterday, so maybe there is hope!
