Time to go outside

[Carlie59]

Hey y’all! My babies are just shy of 3 weeks old and feathering out nicely. I’ve been letting them spend some time out in the cool air, and have removed the MHP. They don’t seem to care the heat is gone at all. Id really like to get them into the coop this weekend especially since it looks like we will have a week of nice weather. Are they old enough to go out without heat at this point? I have no idea what the weather will be throughout February but they’ll be at least 4 weeks before it turns any colder.

 

[DobieLover]

Hey y’all! My babies are just shy of 3 weeks old and feathering out nicely. I’ve been letting them spend some time out in the cool air, and have removed the MHP. They don’t seem to care the heat is gone at all. Id really like to get them into the coop this weekend especially since it looks like we will have a week of nice weather. Are they old enough to go out without heat at this point? I have no idea what the weather will be throughout February but they’ll be at least 4 weeks before it turns any colder.

I would put them in the coop if they will be the only occupants. But I would give them the MHP at night. They are not fully feathered yet and will want a heat source at night.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I agree with DobieLover. 3 weeks old is still pretty young. I usually wait until they are at least 6 weeks old before putting them outside.

 

[DobieLover]

I agree with DobieLover. 3 weeks old is still pretty young. I usually wait until they are at least 6 weeks old before putting them outside.

Oh, don't get me wrong! I think they should be outside from day one. I just don't think they are ready to do that without a heat source. The MHP should be moved out to the coop with them.

 

[Carlie59]

I would put them in the coop if they will be the only occupants. But I would give them the MHP at night. They are not fully feathered yet and will want a heat source at night.

Thanks! I need to figure out how to get the cord in there lol there’s no power in the coop so I need to run an extension cord. I think they’ll be so happy to have the extra space.

 

[Carlie59]

Thanks! I need to figure out how to get the cord in there lol there’s no power in the coop so I need to run an extension cord. I think they’ll be so happy to have the extra space.

Oh, don't get me wrong! I think they should be outside from day one. I just don't think they are ready to do that without a heat source. The MHP should be moved out to the coop with them.

Do you think it would be too stressful for them to spend the day outside and come back in at night for a couple of weeks?

 

[DobieLover]

Do you think it would be too stressful for them to spend the day outside and come back in at night for a couple of weeks?

Probably not. Give them a huddle box so they can use it if they get cold during the day. Is there a reason you can't put the MHP out there with them and just move them in?

 

[Carlie59]

Probably not. Give them a huddle box so they can use it if they get cold during the day. Is there a reason you can't put the MHP out there with them and just move them in?

We built the coop like Fort Knox lol I don’t know how we’ll get power in there without drilling a hole that we’d have to fill later.

 

[DobieLover]

We built the coop like Fort Knox lol I don’t know how we’ll get power in there without drilling a hole that we’d have to fill later.

That's a bummer you didn't run a circuit to it when you built it. Having electricity in the coop is essential in my neck of the woods to make chicken keeping SO much easier.
Can you post pictures??

 

[Carlie59]

That's a bummer you didn't run a circuit to it when you built it. Having electricity in the coop is essential in my neck of the woods to make chicken keeping SO much easier.
Can you post pictures??

Here’s the coop. Pardon the mess, it’s still being worked on. We do intend to run power to the shed but I honestly didn’t think I’d need power inside the coop itself. We may have to rethink that. We could run an extension cord through the egg box maybe, but I’d hate to leave any part of the coop vulnerable.