When can chicks go outside?

[blackwpk]

This is most helpful and was exactly what I was thinking of as well. I nearly lost one of our chicks to Cocci but managed to get our little flock medicated and she and the rest are doing awesome! They are 6wks this week, so will wait a couple more weeks before letting them discover the outdoors. I know they want to go out, but this chick momma says 'no, not yet'. I want their little immune systems to get stronger first.

 

[gotthefever]

I'd love some advice also please, if anyone has experience with this.

2 D'uccle bantams 13 & 14 weeks. In the garage/laundry about 40 to 50 degrees. Outside temps are in the 30's. When they are out they seem to be busy with chicken business and fine.

I want to move them out full time with the other chickens, Barred Rock and Silver Laced about 22 wks (huge) and 2 other D'Uccles about 14 wks (they came to me already outside)


They have a small doghouse coop, that seems to be dry, but by no means airtight. There are gaps under the eaves.

The outside group seem to alternate between roosting and chicken piling.


I can see that I without direction I might keep them inside all winter (argh!)


I could start keeping the cage out at night for later and later...but wouldn't it be better if they were in the coop with the other 4 for chicken heat?

 

[gander007]

I'd love some advice also please, if anyone has experience with this.

2 D'uccle bantams 13 & 14 weeks. In the garage/laundry about 40 to 50 degrees. Outside temps are in the 30's. When they are out they seem to be busy with chicken business and fine.

I want to move them out full time with the other chickens, Barred Rock and Silver Laced about 22 wks (huge) and 2 other D'Uccles about 14 wks (they came to me already outside)


They have a small doghouse coop, that seems to be dry, but by no means airtight. There are gaps under the eaves.

The outside group seem to alternate between roosting and chicken piling.


I can see that I without direction I might keep them inside all winter (argh!)


I could start keeping the cage out at night for later and later...but wouldn't it be better if they were in the coop with the other 4 for chicken heat?

Sounds like they are more then old enough to go outside just supervise the flock and slowly introduce the new one's slowly .......



I start a little earlier at six to eight weeks and this cage is in the
chicken yard and the older chickens get to know the little ones
well before the total introduction ......



If you look at this photo there are many different ages together
in the same yard just give them plenty of room to move around
and do their thing ....





This is a bigger cage I use for introducing new birds into the
flock .....














gander007

 

[mossyroo]

I took mine out to the coop at 4 weeks a little over 1 weeks ago in FL panhandle. Had several nights in 40s and 1 or 2 with a little frost. They had a large box they could go in with a heat lamp and the first few I would put them in there every night and let them out in the morning. I left the heat lamp on in there full time. I saw several of theme go up the ramp and look in the box during the day so I know they knew how to get in there but they seemed to prefer huddling outside so I just left them and a couple days ago took the light out. They are doing great.

 

[gotthefever]

Thanks so much Gander007 and mossyroo!!!

I did it. I (of course) did my own blend of methods. While the outside group was on free range, the inside 2 had the run of the run. for a few days, bringing them in at night.

They had roosted on the branches outside when the rest went in. So on a warm night, instead of bringing them in I put them on the perches. Ha! Once and done, clever girls!

When I put my hand up in the roost area, it does feel nice... I wish I could sleep in there sometime. (oh did I say that out loud?)

They are a bit ostracized and like to stay in the coop while everyone else is out and about,but no blood, no horrible pecking. The worst is Wilma (huge and fat SLW) she needs to lay an egg and calm down I think. SLW and BR and 2 other Banties are pretty gentle, mostly "air pecks". I gave them the cover of a cat pan to hide in if they need to.

Otherwise they do chicken things, eat, drink, poo.


My concern is that they stay in because it's too cold, I don't wan't them to get sick of course!
-A