when can chicks live outside?

[ChickenLove6]

I know my chicks are only 5weeks old and won't be able to live outside yet, but when will they be old enough to venture out into my garden? Thanks in advance!

 

[mrs buff laced]

Well that depends on how developed they are. Normally that depends on whether they have most of their feathers to keep for getting chills. Most chicks are fully feathered by 8wks but if you think they are ready then I would say to do it!

 

[QueenBubbles]

They are old enough to enjoy exploring your garden and yard. They feel more secure if there is cover they can dash into when the get scared (other birds, cats, noisy trucks, etc) but if you are there with them they should be pretty confident.
I started mine out with the top of their brooder, a rabbit cage, put in different parts of the yard so they could peck and scratch and stay in the shade. It was easy to get them inside for the night although I had to reassemble their cage every evening and cart everything back outside in the AM.
After a couple days, I left the cage door but the food and water still inside. They were on my patio mostly, which has 6' fencing, so they were pretty safe and I stopped carting the cage outside after a week. They are totally bonded to the patio area now.

The hardest part is getting them to come in when YOU want them in.
Let us know how it goes - it looks like they are already enjoying the grass!

 

[cafarmgirl]

Chicks are usually fully or almost fully feathered by the time they are 4 or 5 weeks old. Mine move out to their coop/run by 5 weeks.

 

[QueenBubbles]

I thought it was 8 weeks to be fully feathered. I have 4 week olds now and although they have outer feathers, when they flap their wings I can see their bodies are pretty bare, as well as their bums and heads are still fluffy.

 

[annas orps]

My sister has lavender orpington chicks (who are currently 5 weeks) and they go outside in the garden for short periods on sunny days but they still aren't fully feathered yet so still to young to go outside at night - they'll move out when they're fully feathered which will probably be by the time they are eight weeks or maybe just before.

 

[ChickenLove6]

Well that depends on how developed they are. Normally that depends on whether they have most of their feathers to keep for getting chills. Most chicks are fully feathered by 8wks but if you think they are ready then I would say to do it!

Okay Thankyou! I

 

[ChickenLove6]

They are old enough to enjoy exploring your garden and yard. They feel more secure if there is cover they can dash into when the get scared (other birds, cats, noisy trucks, etc) but if you are there with them they should be pretty confident.
I started mine out with the top of their brooder, a rabbit cage, put in different parts of the yard so they could peck and scratch and stay in the shade. It was easy to get them inside for the night although I had to reassemble their cage every evening and cart everything back outside in the AM.
After a couple days, I left the cage door but the food and water still inside. They were on my patio mostly, which has 6' fencing, so they were pretty safe and I stopped carting the cage outside after a week. They are totally bonded to the patio area now.

The hardest part is getting them to come in when YOU want them in.
Let us know how it goes - it looks like they are already enjoying the grass!

Thanks for the reply! I put mine outside when its warm but they keep escaping out of the area I put them in and when I try to get them back I have to chase them around. I feel bad because they seem to enjoy walking around but I'm scared they'll get cold. By the way, your chicks are gorgeous! What breeds are they?

 

[ChickenLove6]

Chicks are usually fully or almost fully feathered by the time they are 4 or 5 weeks old.  Mine move out to their coop/run by 5 weeks.

Thank you! I'll slowly introduce them to the outside!

 

[ChickenLove6]

I thought it was 8 weeks to be fully feathered. I have 4 week olds now and although they have outer feathers, when they flap their wings I can see their bodies are pretty bare, as well as their bums and heads are still fluffy.

Yeah, these two are like that so I think I'll just wait until they are 8weeks and then I'll allow them to live outside, thanks for the reply!