When are they ready for the coop outside?

[nascarjunkie1]

Our chicks are around 6-7 weeks, looks like they have most of their feathers. We planned on putting them outside this Friday and the weather says it will be around 35 degrees both nights for the low but 70 during the day. Will they be fine as long as they go in the coop at night? Should I close the door on the coop when they do in since it will be the first night in there or leave it open?

 

[SD Bird Lady]

They will be fine to put them out. How many are there? Have the had a heat lamp up until now?

If there are less than probably 6 you may want to put a heat lamp on at night if they are used to having it. If they are used to being just in the house (60-70 all the time) they should fare well with a little bit of snuggling.

I would close them in just so no one gets left outside.

 

[nascarjunkie1]

Had the heat lamp off for about 4 days now, we have 6 of them.

 

[farmin4fun]

Hello,

I think they would be fine outside in the coop as long as they could snuggle up together. I would however be sure to lock them up in the coop at night for a week or so, or until they start roosting in there on their own. Being it would be their first time outside they probably would not immediately recognize the coop as home and might not roost in the coop out of the weather. They would likely roost outside in the run and be exposed to a cold wind or rain, which at this age could potentially kill them or at least be a health risk.

If you are concerned about it being too cold in the coop you could put a lamp in there for them. Since you've had a lamp on them for the first 6 weeks they should already know to get close to a lamp if they are cold.

Also if you have some low roosts installed inside the coop that might encourage them to roost in the coop. Chickens naturally try to roost up high at night. Yours might be a little too young for this instinct to have kicked in yet, but it will soon if not already.


Best of luck to you!!

 

[ameraucana 25]

I have 10 chicks and their one month old I have this coop https://www.omlet.us/eglu-pro-chicken-coop/ when is the soonest I could get them out to the coop I also could put the heating plate in their coop!!!