putting my chicks out this weekend

[vtsarahb]

I'm sending my 3.5-week-olds out to the coop this weekend, with their heat lamp. They are mostly feathered out, and it's been in the 60s-70s here so I think they will be fine.

However, they are going from a smallish brooder box to an 8 x 8 foot coop- do I need to pen them in a little at first? Or can they have the whole coop right away?

 

[citrusdreams]

If they can get out of the coop when you open the door, and you don't have a pen attached, then I would confine them to something until they're bigger.

But if they're just going to a secure area outside the henhouse, and into a pen, I'd go ahead and leave that door open and them them choose where to go...but only if they're secure in and out...

If they can't get out of the henhouse then I'd go ahead and let them play

 

[keljonma]

They should be fine, as long as you are sure there aren't any drafts and the hen house is predator proof. Put a thermometer at chick level to check on the temperatures.

Don't be surprised if they stay huddled together in one spot when you first move them. And it is easier to move them at night when they are sleeping.