Stupid Newbie Question: When can they move outside?

[mxschwartz]

Hi all.

I have my first baby chicks after always buying laying age pullets.

I get the whole 5 degrees less each week thing.

My question is: when is it OK to let them live outside in a run/unheated henhouse?

I live in San Diego, so it's never below 50s.

THANKS!

Michael

 

[tnchickenut]

6-8 weeks is ok... I'd personally wait until 8-10. That's just me. Text books say 6-8 though.

 

[mxschwartz]

Thanks--so I should keep them inside until 8 weeks?

Michael

 

[gritsar]

If they were mine I'd be taking them out for short periods of time on nice days - sunny, temps at least 70, no wind at all - from the time they were about 2 to 3 weeks old. Always watchful that they were getting chilled, peeping loudly and huddling.
By five weeks I woud start weaning them off their heat lamp and preparing them to live in the coop.
The 5 degree rule also says, week 5 = 70 to 75 degrees, after which they should not need the addition of heat.

 

[felidaet]

I agree with giving them supervised playtime outside if it is warm and not windy. I did that last year. I moved them to the coop at 6 weeks. I kept a heat lamp in there with them for a couple of more weeks. At about 8 weeks I only used it at night for awhile. From 6 weeks to 8 weeks I kept them locked in the coop most of the time. I only let them out in the run for short times and when it was warm. They were at least 8 weeks before I gave them free access to the run all day. I plan to do the same thing this year.

 

[tnchickenut]

Quote:
That is a good idea.... also... don't forget all the different preditors they have at that age. Even a pet cat.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
That is a good idea.... also... don't forget all the different preditors they have at that age. Even a pet cat.

Sorry, but I just don't agree with this. Barring inclement weather, they don't need to be kept inside that long. If the chicks were being brooded by mama hen in the coop, she wouldn't be keeping them under her wings that long. In fact, by eight weeks most mama hens would have sent the chicks on their way. They are more prone to predators as youngsters, but that's what a predator proof coop is for.
There are lots of folks that don't brood their chicks in the house, I'm one of them. I still have the same healthy hardy-as-all-getout chickens to show for it.
My new batch of chicks, ordered for May, will be in a seperate brooder in an outbuilding until they are five, six weeks old max. Then they will go to the coop with my current flock, seperated to protect them from the big'uns.