So can 3 week old hens go outside in the coop?

[Half a dozen]

My 3 week old hen's are almost completely feathered except for a bit of fluff on the necks etc. I posted a question about them earlier and the advice given was to put them in the coop as my 65L brooder (temporary) box was to small. The breeder told me to keep them inside till 6 wks. England never really gets near the warm temps other countries get. I was thinking if i put my coop up and set up a heat lamp inside the hen house part. would this be ok to put my chicks out in that then. I Have one chick though smaller than the other two and she has less feathers. So I'm not sure what's best to do now.






.

 

[crash0330]

As long as you maintain a proper temperature for them, which is about 80 to 85 they should be fine. Now that temperature must be kept at night too, give them some bedding so they can be comfortable.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Yes, if you think it is still too cold for them you can essentially turn your coop into a large brooder. You may not need supplemental heat, however, if you give them a huddle box inside the coop...basically it helps concentrate their body warmth, turning themselves into the heaters.

 

[Half a dozen]

Ok great thank you for the advice. I'll get my other half to work on the coop set up after work and see which method is best to set up a heat lamp outside and into the coop. maybe a bit of a challenge that but I'm sure it's doable.

 

[Half a dozen]

Well the coop is up! they slept in it last night on the heat pad and all were fine this morning. They didn't enjoy being put in the hen house and locked in as it was dark and they











started crying which made me feel very guilty, but it was 9:30 and they were still stood outside and the little one was shivering a bit, so I put them to bed. They went quiet after a cpl of minutes. It's on concrete for now as my grass is on a high slope, to unstable for a coop. But we are moving to my other halves house in 6ish weeks and his house backs onto a farm and his back yard is all grass. that's where they will eventually free range. Anyway what do you think?

 

[Half a dozen]

Sorry that last one went a bit wrong, don't know why

 

[azygous]

Chickens, even the baby ones, think any change is going to strip them bald and barbecue them. They will adjust. Just don't fall for the big sob routine.

Are you letting them have access to outside? If you aren't able to let them out, try giving them a cake pan filled with a clump of grass and dirt to scratch and dirt bathe in. That should appease the little squirts.

 

[Half a dozen]

I let them on the grass for short amounts of time, but it's been a very rainy summer here in Britain and the grass is often wet, so I can't do it to often or they get wet. I have seen my big grey girl trying to have a dust bath in the bedding, so I am going to get a cat litter tray and throw some dry dirt in for them. It's a work in progress but getting better daily. The breeder suggested apple cider vinegar for the little chick. what do you think? thanks