Raising Cain cause I wanna go outside! Normal?

[maclady]

Can someone tell me if this is normal chick behavior? 4 BOs that are 41 days old and they threw a major cheeping, flapping fit today. I opened the blinds in the garage since it is sunny and finally warming up and then it started & did not stop. I didn't realize 4 chicks could make that much noise. They had my 2 dogs and cat at the garage door trying to figure out what kind of chick war was going on out there. They have been outside several times when temps were 70 or above and then back into the brooder at night. Last several days overcast, rainy & cold and then today 63 sunny but a little breezy. I finally gave in when it hit 55 outside and put them in the coop and after awhile opened the coop door. They launched themselves out of the coop and are sunbathing and dust/dirt bathing like it is 90. I thought you were not supposed to let them outside unless it was above 70?

 

[gritsar]

I start taking my brooder-raised chicks out at 2 weeks old (on nice days). My broodies take their chicks out even younger. After a few days it becomes routine for them and heaven help me if I am late taking them out.

 

[maclady]

That is the problem. I take them out on nice days and lately it hasn't been to nice out. Today was sunny and they wanted Out! I am worried cause it still wasn't really warm outside only hit 61 instead of 63. Just don't want them to get cold but they loved it out there. Guess I will just go by what they want from now on but bring them inside for the night until it is up to the 50s every night. Can they get sick from being outside like this?

 

[Judy]

If my broody raised chicks had gotten sick from being out when it's well below 70, none would have survived. I have seen them out in the 40's in the first week, though that bunch ran back under mama ever 10 or 15 minutes for a few minutes of warmth. My last batch hatched when highs were 50 or 60; we were having a few nights below freezing. They were outdoors in the first week and I never once saw them under mama during the day, even though she would squat and spread and cluck for them, I'm sure to offer to warm them. They are hardier than we think, especially when they've been acclimated as yours have.

 

[ginormous chicken]

Wow... I start letting mine out at 5 weeks. And I was worried about that! Apparently I am late. If people let there chicks out in an outdoor run at 2 weeks! Of course, the weather hasn't really been great. At 55-60 degrees I would like them to be 5 weeks. Today is 70 in CA and I could let everyone out. But it sure does get cold at night here!