Ready for outside?

[misshell]

My chicks are five weeks old today. The coop and run is ready. It’s 90 degrees outside right now and should drop down to the high 50’s tonight. Do you think the chicks are ready to be put out permanently? I know it’s a little early but we’ve been doing a lot of construction on the house and the only place to put them is in our kitchen. We love them, but are ready to get them out!

 

[Tonyroo]

They are ready to be placed outside in your coop and run.

 

[frostic]

Are your chicks fully feathered? this is usually the indicator. my first flock, i took out in the day time so they got used to the day but kept them inside at night till they was 6 weeks old and fully feathered. also i had 3 chicks. they would curl up with eachother to get warmer. if you got less than 3 i wouldn't do it till 6 or 7 weeks old. mine did great once i left them outside at 6 weeks.. but I would not put them in the open. other owls and animals can get to them. make sure they can't get out of the coop.

 

[Tonyroo]

I have mine out in the coop right now, there only 2 1/2 weeks old. I have a heating light in there for them at night only.

 

[Aunt Angus]

You can brood chicks outside from day one. At 5 weeks, they are beginning to feather out, but at 90°, they'll be fine regardless. If they aren't feathered yet, you can put them out with a heating pad if you are worried about nights.

But that'd be more for your sake. They'll be fine.

 

[misshell]

They seem to be fully feathered and there are ten total. I was going to get rid of two that I suspect are roosters this Saturday, but maybe I will wait a few weeks until they are all bigger and more durable. The coop/run is pretty secure all around. I just hope there isn’t anything we missed, or looked over!

 

[misshell]

I have mine out in the coop right now, there only 2 1/2 weeks old. I have a heating light in there for them at night only.

Alright, you’ve convinced me! They are so cute at that young age

 

[misshell]

You can brood chicks outside from day one. At 5 weeks, they are beginning to feather out, but at 90°, they'll be fine regardless. If they aren't feathered yet, you can put them out with a heating pad if you are worried about nights.

But that'd be more for your sake. They'll be fine.

Awesome! Thank you! I’m a nervous mama

 

[Tonyroo]

Just have food and water in there all the time everything will be fine. Also be aware of predators in your area.

 

[misshell]

Just have food and water in there all the time everything will be fine. Also be aware of predators in your area.

What about keeping their food and water outside of the coop but inside the run? I plan on locking them up in the coop at night because we get a lot of possums.