Timing of moving chicks to coop

[campychick]

When is the optimal time to move chicks to unheated coop? I live in Northwest Washington State. Can they be moved by late-March which would be about when they are 7-8 weeks?

 

[Wezdin]

Once the chicks are fully feathered they should be good outside. What breeds do you have?

 

[Doc7]

I put my chicks outside the day they arrive as 2 day olds from the hatchery. If you have a heat pad or mama heat pad setup, they will feather out quickly and be hardier this way. I would do it as long as overnight lows are higher than the teens (Fahrenheit)

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would put them in the coop with a heat plate day one.

Gary

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you can't/don't want to brood outside, then yes they should be good to go by 7-8 weeks.

 

[Melky]

I brooded mine inside under heat lamp starting at 90-95 degrees and weaning by 5 degrees every 5-7 days till at 69-70 degrees then off. I put them outside in coop and did fine. My temps were higher in spring though. When they are feathered out which mine were at 4-5 weeks. Can hold in till 6-8 weeks because of lower temps if want. I have mine out with heater from K and H pad since it went below 30 degrees to prevent frostbite risk. Heated waterer base as well. I’m tarped for winter. I put plastic over closed windows and kept top vent open. Doing fine.

 

[feathermaid]

Optimal time is usually when they're fully feathered. But that may also depend on breed. Some are more cold hardy than others, and Silkies do not do well in the cold at all.

Using a heating pad or plate will help them acclimate much quicker. That method simulates a mother hen where chicks only receive heat at their own preference, and they experience regular day and night cycles. Some people have even used this method outside in below freezing temps. Not sure how or where you're brooding currently, but these articles may help...
Kick The Heat Lamp: Better, Safer And Healthier Options To Heat Your Brooder
You Certainly Can Brood Chicks Outdoors

I brooded my first chicks in my living room, but could not stand the dust and dander by about 4 weeks, plus they were flying all over making a ruckus in the brooder, and then escaping every time I lifted the brooder cover. They had most feathers by then, so I booted them outside but still offered heat in the coop. My second brood went to the coop in about a week using the mama heating pad and they were completely off heat by 4-5 weeks old. I will never use a heat lamp again!

Remember that if you do keep them in the house for 7-8 weeks, they will still need time outdoors to be exposed to your soil and other pathogens to help build their immunities. Even bringing in a chuck of sod from outside will help them. Without gradual exposure, they may get sick once they go outside.

 

[PirateGirl]

BUT once outside if temps drop below freezing consider giving them a heat source. Even though they are feathered, they are small, and young, and vulnerable, and still adapting to cold temps.