when are they ready to go outside??

[SarahF]

I have 5 two-week old Barred Rock chicks and I dont know when they are ready to go outside...can someone let me know? I know that I will still have to have the lamp on outside, but they are messy little creatures and am looking forward to get them out in the coop..

 

[BeckyLa]

Welcome to BYC!! So glad you're here!!

All chicks need is a safe warm draft-free environment. It would help to know what you are planning to move them into to know when it's time. They will need their heat light until they get feathered out, probably 6-8 weeks. But if you have them in a good draft-free coop with their light in one corner, so that if they get cold they can warmup under it yet room enough to move away from it if they get hot, with their food and water they should be fine out there now.

 

[mandolinmama]

I have 9 chicks that we recently moved outside 24/7. They're about 4-5 weeks old and are doing just fine. I think alot depends on what the temps are where you live. The coldest it gets here at this time has been 65 degrees at night but is in the 80s most of the time.
Mine are all doing great and still don't have all their feathers in.