Time to move the chicks outside, right?

[polarbearforge]

So I have four chickens that are right at 8 weeks old. Right now they are in the brooder on the front porch. The current temperature is 62 degrees. I have a heater in there on the lowest setting.

I have my old coop that I'm going to transfer them to before they go to the main coop. I do not have heat in either one. The old coop is where I had my first flock (before the mink incident) and the birds were fine in there sub zero. It's in a sheltered spot and not drafty.

The forecast for the next week has the lowest low at 15, followed by 19 and 20. Highs range from 29-51.

They seem fully feathered to me. Are they ok to go outside now?

Jamie

 

[calebc311]

I let my chicks go outside today, and they loved it. If they're feathered and they have a place to stay away from wind, then it should be fine. As long as it's not a sudden change from a nice cozy brooder to outside. I transitioned from a brooder with a heat lamp inside, to the garage with the heat, then the garage without the heat for quite a while and finally they are in the coop.

 

[Odelia]

I believe you could put them in the coop, but those low temps are awfully cold. I personally would put them in the coop during the day and put them back in the brooder at night until it warms a bit more.