Ready For Winter?

[My First Time Farm]

Ok so I have 11 chicks that were born on the 9th of September. They are getting a bit big for their brooder and was needing to get them outside. Well here in Texas the temps are crazy from changing to 85 to like 40 in a day, and I was wondering when I could let them outside in their coop that I have built for them? The breeds are Orpington, Wyandotte, Easter Eggers, Barred Rock, and Cuckoo Maran. Thank you!

 

[aart]

They are being weaned off the heat in the house, right?

Soon, as long as they are out of the wind and dry, they should be fine in coop.

 

[My First Time Farm]

They are being weaned off the heat in the house, right?

Soon, as long as they are out of the wind and dry, they should be fine in coop.

Yes they have never seen a heat lamp in their life.

 

[aart]

Yes they have never seen a heat lamp in their life.

Ah, have they been outside at all?
I open the brooder room window, when I brooded inside, to help acclimate to outside temps.

 

[My First Time Farm]

They have never been outside but I can start taking them outside everyday.

Ah, have they been outside at all?
I open the brooder room window, when I brooded inside, to help acclimate to outside temps.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Four weeks old and a low of 40. You are right on that edge where they might be OK now but it's probably a good idea to wait a bit before leaving them out overnight. I've had 5-1/2 week olds outside overnight without heat with lows in the mid 20's. Mine had been acclimated to colder weather and the coop had great ventilation up high and great wind protection down low where they were. Your coop has a part to play in this too, if cold wind can hit them you may have issues.

If you can get them exposed to colder weather it would be great. Every bit helps. Even if you can't I'd be OK moving them out in a week.