put the girls out for first time today

[eddie w]

my pullets are 5 weeks old put them in a small run today but will move thm back to the brooder tonite they seem to like it does everyone think this is okay

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

As long as it is warm enough and no predators can get them I think they should be fine.

 

[Xtina]

I came on here today to find out what "warm enough" is. I'm looking at the 50s during the day for the next few days and 40s at night. My chicks are about the same age.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Well the chicks start at 95 degrees and you decrease 5 degrees every week after that. So on week one the chicks temp should be 95 and on week two you decrease 5 degrees so the temp should be 90 and so on. So since your chicks are 5 weeks I would say the right temp for them would be 70-75 degrees.

 

[Xtina]

In other words, "no way." Ok, thanks for the calculation...I should have been practical enough to think of that myself, but wasn't! I wonder if putting a heat lamp on them out there all day would do it, and then bring them in at night?

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I think that would be fine with the heat lamp. I have 4 week olds. And I am going to let them venture outside this week. It is going to be in the 70's. I can't wait to see what they do.
Also, I wonder if the chicks will need grit when they are outside. I mean, they will proble be eating grass and bugs and who knows what else. I am going to look into that, and I will let you know. Have fun with your chicks!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Here is what I found...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=44917

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=119026