Transitioning outside

[CT DCP]

Hey all. So I am in New England and have 6 chicks that are around 6 weeks old. We are still keeping them inside 24-7 in a now crowded brooder and would like to move them outside. Temps at night hovering around 40 and days ranging 40-70 recently. Should they be good going outside? They are fully feathered and under a lamp inside but I want them out without the lamp. Thoughts and advice appreciated!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Turn off the lamp. You need to acclimate them to no lamp if you wish to put them out. I usually run a lamp at that age at night, but they may be okay.

I personally would put them out during the day and bring them back inside at night, with no lamp, plus they need to get used to being in the dark, for a week or two to finish acclimating them. Than out they would stay.

 

[lazy gardener]

For future reference, chicks in the house can be off heat all day long by the time they are 3 weeks old, and off heat completely by 4 weeks. They can easily be moved to the unheated coop by 4 - 5 weeks. Many of us brood our chicks outside, and they self regulate, weaning themselves from their heating pad by the time they are 4 weeks old. This in night time temps of 30 - 40*. time to cut the apron strings!!! Enjoy having your house back.