Putting chicks outside

[Harshangel310]

i used to have chickens, got a divorce, stopped raising them for awhile but now, I’m back to it. It’s not a lifestyle I can give up... but I have a question, this is the first time I have bought baby chicks and I have no idea when I can transfer them from inside with a warming light and heat to outside. How do I know when they are ready. Before, the only babes I had came from broody hens that handled all this.

 

[aart]

this is the first time I have bought baby chicks and I have no idea when I can transfer them from inside with a warming light and heat to outside.

If coop is dry and windproof, and chicks have a safe source of heat they can go out anytime.

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[Azmomm]

I just moved mine from garage to closed 6 by 4 coop. There are screened windows about 6 feet up and it is windy out but i think they will be fine on the ground level with a heat source 80 in dsy and 45 low

 

[Azmomm]

I forgot tk mention 22 days old

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Is power available in the coop? If so, I brood my chicks in the coop from day 1 using a mama heat pad for warmth (link below)....this includes during temps in the teens outside. Bu 3-4 weeks they self wean off heat as they integrate with the adult flock.
In situations that wasn't an option and I was brooding indoors I managed them to be off heat by 4 weeks and they then moved out to the coop....this puc is 5 week olds, in the uninsulated, unheated coop on a day the high was in the upper 20s

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rt-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/?page=2

 

[WhoDatChick]

Is power available in the coop? If so, I brood my chicks in the coop from day 1 using a mama heat pad for warmth (link below)....this includes during temps in the teens outside. Bu 3-4 weeks they self wean off heat as they integrate with the adult flock.
In situations that wasn't an option and I was brooding indoors I managed them to be off heat by 4 weeks and they then moved out to the coop....this puc is 5 week olds, in the uninsulated, unheated coop on a day the high was in the upper 20s
View attachment 1724207

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rt-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/?page=2

Oh wow! Really!? So I can move my just about 5 week olds...to the big run in their “see no touch” dog crate? Without heat? I have them on the porch and I do turn the heat light on at night cuz high 30’s low 40’s.. I try to keep it pretty far back and they spend the day in the mini coop run... plus, temps are gradually warming up this week.. high 70’s during day 50’s.. 60’s during night...

 

[henless]

My babies will be a week old tomorrow. They have been out in their brooder (in the coop) with a Premier heat plate since I got them. I also use the MHP, but it is being used for something else right now. My morning temps were 32* for the last 2 mornings with highs in the mid 40's.

Like everyone else has said, as long as the coop is secure, dry, no wind can get to them and you have a safe heat source, they will do fine.

FYI: As far as I know, only the Premier heat plate or the MHP (Momma Heating Pad) will work with outside temps down low. I believe the Brinsea plate only works down to like 60* ambient temp. This is for heating plate types of heat. I don't use a heat lamp so I have no idea what temps that works in.

 

[gander007]

I put my chicks outside with in four weeks but I live in Death Valley Ca. and for Christmas day we went swimming out side this last year so I guess it really all depends where you live don't it . Just make sure the chicks are protected from the wind and weather and a heating pad as a minimum with food and water