Two questions re: When to go outside and feeding

[rogerf]

I inherited 10 RIR chicks from someone who apparently got in deeper than they imagined. The chicks were 3 weeks old when I got them and were not fed medicated food or enough for that matter. I immediately switched food and they are all doing great now and are very receptive and active.

Now my questions....
They are now going on 7 weeks old and seem to have all feathered in except for some tufts on their heads. With temps at night around 50 here in RI is it too soon to move them outside into a coop?

When should I introduce them to the older chickens?

A silly 3rd question now..can they eat too much because it seems that I am filling the dish 2-3 times a day?

Thanks for the help

 

[KellyHM]

If the temps are no lower than 50 they should be ok outside. You might give them a light for a few nights just to get them acclimated. I would wait until they're full grown (or close) to introduce them to the others...depends on how your chickens are...mine accept new "friends" pretty much any time, but they're not all like that. You can't feed them too much...they need the calories b/c they're growing and making new feathers...it will level off when they're grown. Have fun!

 

[gritsar]

I agree with Kelly.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Mine go outside and in the big coop at night(with the big girls) at 6 weeks (temps 40-50) and they eat non-stop at this age.
That said I get the occasional ones that are super slow to feather out, they stay behind in the kindergarten room with a heat lamp at night but go out during the day.

 

[rogerf]

Well that makes me feel better.
I'll need to make an intermediate coop for them so I will only be able to make the move next week.

Thanks for the help.