Silkie Chicks

[TamiP]

I have 4 Silkies I hatched from shipped eggs and they're 4 weeks old now. They have been in our living room in a tote with heat the whole time. I'm wondering when I can put them outside during the day in a cage in the big chicken run. I would like them to feel the ground and get used to the sisters they will eventually be living with. We are in SE Texas so quite warm during the day barring terrible wind I was thinking they may enjoy the experience. What do you guys recommend? I'm including pics so you can see how many feathers they have.

 

[SilverBirds]

Over this next week start weaning them form the light. 4-6 weeks is when I normally put my chicks outside.

 

[TamiP]

Over this next week start weaning them form the light. 4-6 weeks is when I normally put my chicks outside.

I have no problem yanking the light off 2-week old quails and they adjust but for some reason, I'm having real issues taking it off the Silkies. They are just so stuffed animal-like.

 

[SilverBirds]

What is the weather going to be like this next week for you? As long as it isn't getting below 50F they'll be fine.

 

[TamiP]

What is the weather going to be like this next week for you? As long as it isn't getting below 50F they'll be fine.

Our lowest will be 70F overnight so 80's and high 80's.

 

[SilverBirds]

I'd remove the heat lamp today and put them outside... Friday or Saturday.

 

[TamiP]

I'd remove the heat lamp today and put them outside... Friday or Saturday.

Okay, I'll yank it in the morning so I don't stay up all night worrying that they're cold!

 

[SilverBirds]

Okay, I'll yank it in the morning so I don't stay up all night worrying that they're cold!

Since it's already so warm outside they should adjust easily. I don't blame you for worrying though. Who wouldn't worry about the welfare of those cute little faces?

 

[Poodlemum]

Awwwww, so cute!!! I tried to turn off the lamp inside for our 4 weekers which includes silkies. They’re in our kitchen and it’s always 70° minimum. No loud peeping and they seemed fine for a few days, but they just looked a smidge fluffed up. Turned the lamp back on this evening and they threw themselves down to do a little rotisserie routine, wings up and legs kicked out… Meanwhile my 2 week old BYM are all sitting in front of the mama heat pad cave and refuse to go in all day. They love playing and scratching their food out of the feeder

 

[TamiP]

Awwwww, so cute!!! I tried to turn off the lamp inside for our 4 weekers which includes silkies. They’re in our kitchen and it’s always 70° minimum. No loud peeping and they seemed fine for a few days, but they just looked a smidge fluffed up. Turned the lamp back on this evening and they threw themselves down to do a little rotisserie routine, wings up and legs kicked out… Meanwhile my 2 week old BYM are all sitting in front of the mama heat pad cave and refuse to go in all day. They love playing and scratching their food out of the feeder

I think part of my hesitancy is that they'll fluff up and get sick and keel over like TS chicks.