putting 3 week old chicks outside?

[PolentaDragon]

Infrared laser temperature gun?! That's a thing?! That's awesome!

You've gone a long way to alleviate my concerns about moving them outside - it's no where near that cold here. I think we'll be fine. Thanks so much for sharing

 

[GreenLove]

Infrared laser temperature gun?! That's a thing?! That's awesome!

You've gone a long way to alleviate my concerns about moving them outside - it's no where near that cold here. I think we'll be fine. Thanks so much for sharing

LOL! Yep, it's a thing! Really neat to have on hand, and very accurate in my opinion. Just in case your interested, I got mine from Amazon for 14.00 US. I love it! It's the black and yellow one and made by Etekcity. I originally bought it for making sure my milk/water was the right temperature for proofing yeast for baking, but I quickly learned it's useful for a few other things (like checking the temp under the heat lamp lol). Anyways, glad to hear your concerns are alleviated

. Good luck with your chicky babies!

 

[Blooie]

In addition to the ideas about the sheeting, the heat lamp, and the multiple feeders and waterers, I'd also think about putting in some distractions. If they are busy exploring and pecking at other things, they aren't pecking at each other.
Put in a tree stump for them to climb on and jump off.

Put some stuff like a few dirt clods for them to destroy, peck at and dust bathe in.

Also a dust bath is a good idea....either pile some dirt in a corner or put some in a tub for them.
Distractions, distractions. Whatever you can think of.

And one more thing I think I'd do - I think I'd prop a piece of plywood or something along one side. Anchor it so it won't fall down on top of them, but if you put it at an angle like half a tent the persecuted chicks can get under it and "hide" from the more aggressive chicks.

Hang a few apples from a string so they can peck at that. If you're worried about feeding that kind of treat too soon, toss in some small sand or gravel, or even regular chick grit right on the floor of their area. They'll have to dig and scratch for it, but they'll do it. Mine have been getting dirt clods, chick grit, scratch and treats since they were two weeks old and they've done just fine.


Stick in some thick branches or a couple of 2x2s for roosts at different levels. They love hopping from one to the other.

My chicks go from shipping to outdoor run with no heat lamp...I use a heating pad, a wire frame, a towel, and some straw. So from the time the sun goes down until sunrise they are sleeping. That's 8-12 hours of no pecking at each other. You don't need to heat an entire space with your heat lamp(s). They spend most of their time running all over the place and just warm up when they need it. Just make absolutely sure that the heat lamp(s) are secure! Don't rely just on the clamps. Good luck!