Questions

[FirstTimeChickMama]

I am trying to read the board as much as I can, but I have a few questions to start. On march 8, I purchased three rhode island red chicks and three black sex link pullets (I am hoping to goodness none of them turn out to be roosters! I am in the city and will be fined!).
I do not know how old they were when I got them...maybe a few days?? I have had them inside under a heat lamp, gradually raising the lamp and lowering the temp. They are feathered except for their heads (and one looks pretty pitiful, like she is molting).

They are outgrowing their brooder condo

and I really want to get them outside soon (once the chicken coop is finished this weekend.
Right now, the temp is in the high 40's to 50's during the day (I am in WA state) and low 30's at night.

Should I let them out during the day and bring them in at night? Should I put the light outside in their house (it's a really big dog house) and put them in their house at night and out during the day?
Are they still too young? Their cheeping is starting to drive me a tad crazy

LOL

Any chick rearing advice is gratefully accepted! Thank you for being here!!

 

[EC]

I would put them out when they were a little older (6 weeks), in the day, when it is 50F and up, and take them in at night.

 

[cmom]

Initially I put my brooder in the coop and put a heat lamp in there.

 

[ChickenMitch]

I have 11 4-week old chicks, and 23 2 to 3- week old chicks in the house.
I usually wiat about 6 to 8 weeks of age until i put them outside.
But they should be fine during the day with the light but I wouldn't leave them outside at night. That's way to cold!