Struggling with when to put the chicks outside in the coop

[jakts]

This is our first time with chickens. We picked up our baby chicks February 19th (so we have had them about 6 weeks). We have the coop all built (except for the nesting boxes) and ready. The temps during the day around 50-60 degrees and lows are about 30-40. Are they ready to go out there if we put a heat lamp in there at night?

 

[SaltyMomma]

I'm new to chickens as well, but I think a general rule of thumb is to make sure they have all their feathers in. A heat lamp at night sounds like a good idea until it gets a bit warmer. Good Luck!

 

[my3jsons]

Newbie too, but I'm going to put ours out as soon as the coop is ready. Mine are 4 weeks. It probably depends upon temps in your areas. Here in Oklahoma, when it finally warms up, it warms up. Today will near 80. I am putting keyless lights in the coop so they can be shut up in there at night with a heat lamp. I don't know what the difference would be between that and in the brooder in our rec. room except I won't have chicken dust everywhere!

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Everyone is a little different here...

Some people will wait until they are all feathered and some ( like myself ) will put them outside in their brooder with a warm light right away. I have a brooder in my coop which keeps them very warm and protected.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Yes, put them out! They're ready!

 

[Chipper]

If they are fully feathered they should do fine and it will probably do them good to get them moved in.The heat lamp is a good idea for cold temps. at night. Good Luck

 

[jettgirl24]

My chicks are about the same age as yours and I'll be moving them out tonight with their heat lamp. I wasn't quite done with the coop but I put them outside for several hours last night to get them used to it and they seemed to be fine. It was about 36 degrees. I'm going to keep my eye on my babies for the next few days out there, I'll let you know how they do