When can chicks go outside in winter

[mitch1114]

I have 4 chicks that are 8 weeks old, an easter egger, buff orpington, and 2 cinnamon queens. I live in southeast iowa. Temps are in the 30s and 40s during the day, and down into the 20s at night. Would the chicks be okay if I put them in the coop outside? Right now they are in a brooder in the garage. If I do put them in the coop can they eat layer feed or do they still need the grower feed and how do I keep them and the older hens from eating each others feed? I've never raised chicks in the fall/winter before, only in the spring.

 

[DobieLover]

I have 4 chicks that are 8 weeks old, an easter egger, buff orpington, and 2 cinnamon queens. I live in southeast iowa. Temps are in the 30s and 40s during the day, and down into the 20s at night. Would the chicks be okay if I put them in the coop outside? Right now they are in a brooder in the garage. If I do put them in the coop can they eat layer feed or do they still need the grower feed and how do I keep them and the older hens from eating each others feed? I've never raised chicks in the fall/winter before, only in the spring.

They will be fine going out now. But you'll have to do a "look don't touch" integration with the hens.

I feed Flock Raiser with several containers of oyster shell and one of egg shell scattered around the coop and run. Feeding this way accommodates the active layers as well as all the rest: non-laying pullets, molting hens, chicks, cockerels and roosters. You can't feed two separate feeds without dividing the flock.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I have 4 chicks that are 8 weeks old, an easter egger, buff orpington, and 2 cinnamon queens. I live in southeast iowa. Temps are in the 30s and 40s during the day, and down into the 20s at night. Would the chicks be okay if I put them in the coop outside? Right now they are in a brooder in the garage.

If they're fully feathered, you can start acclimating them to the outside temps ... put them out during the warmer part of the day, gradually increasing the time they're outside. Also as @DobieLover mentioned "See but no touch" for safe integrating.

If I do put them in the coop can they eat layer feed or do they still need the grower feed and how do I keep them and the older hens from eating each others feed? I've never raised chicks in the fall/winter before, only in the spring.

Here's the 'problem' ... It's been said/read that chicks & males should not have Layer feed as it has way too much calcium for their needs, causing kidney/liver issues. Hence again as @DobieLover mentioned feeding an all purpose with Oyster Shells in a separate dish/container is the way to go.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My chicks I put out at 4 weeks and weaned them off the heat about 2 weeks ago at about 8 weeks. I feed either a non medicated starter grower or an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs of the hens. Layer isn't necessary.