when can chicks live outside?

[ChickenLove6]

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. 

Thankyou, I'll keep an eye out for their feathers and when I think they are fully feathered I'll let them outside!

 

[QueenBubbles]

Thank you! The white one is a Light Brahma and the other is an Easter Egger.
If they get cold, they will tell you by intense cheeping and running after you. Or in front of you. That's what mine did when it got too chilly for them.
It is hard to get them back in on your timeline! And it is no fun to chase them - especially the more you have. Two was doable but 3 was a lot harder. I try to lure them with treats but if it is warm enough, they say, "thanks for the treats mom, now I'm going back to digging". They are much more agreeable with going in when it gets dark and chilly - sounds hardcore but I do give them plenty of other chances.
In regard to them jetting off to another area - is it more protected than where you put them down? They want to be hidden, not out in the open. I have new littles who forage in front of my house (plenty of cover with jasmine and nandina) spend most of the day in the hedge. They come when I call for treats and I make sure they drink some water. Then it's back in the hedge! Being my second set, I didn't have another cage top so they are a bit more wild.
So, having a cage top to contain them and move them around helps a lot. Always make sure they have shade when they are contained. It is more likely they will get overheated than cold during the day.
Post your progress and chick pix!!

 

[ChickenLove6]

I'm looking for new breeds to add to my flock, so I'll see if there is any easter eggers or light brahma hens in my area for sale, thanks!
I try to give them food to get them in but they seem scared of me, is there any way I can make them more tame? I've had chicks before but I haven't been bothered about them not being tame because they have been with their mum, but because it's me being their surrogate mum I want them to be comfortable with me around!
I usually put them on the grass with a mini fence around them and a thing over the top but they escape from the sides. When they do, there is shade and hedges for them to run under but they prefer to wonder around the grass or go and check out my other chickens (they were amazed that there was more of their species) I suppose my garden is fairly safe, there's no way a dog would be able to get into it, I have a cat but he's scared of the chicks. The only thing I'm worried about is a hawk that likes to land on the grass and eat dead pigeons so I keep an eye out for it.
Thanks so much for all your help, I'll definitely take more pictures and keep you updated!

 

[QueenBubbles]

So, what kind are your two? They are very cute!
The taming stuff kind of goes along way when you are the surrogate mom. I have great success with dries meal worms - put some in your hand and let them see what you have. They have strong instincts to eat protein and worm shaped things fit the bill. That will overcome the fear of new things and big hand shaped things. ;-)
Pretty soon they will see your open hand and associate the words you say - whatever you call them - with the joy of protein treats. I called my first set Chicklets and the second set are Littles. Having another call that isn't an actual word but a whistle or cluck helps, too. You want to show the babies what is good to eat and they want you show them as well. Thankfully MOST of that food searching is instinctual!
Another treat is kind of a trick. White rice grains (cooked) look a lot maggots to a baby chicken and they are hard wired to go for it. You can't throw a lump of rice at them, though. Just a couple grains at a time like they are Bon-Bons.
Getting your chicks to associate you with the BEST treats and see your hand as the bringer of deliciousness is key. Don't reach from above, approach them open-handed at their eye level.
I would so love to see them enjoying your garden! A bug feast, perhaps?
These are my Littles, last week (4 weeks):

 

[Blooie]

I guess I'm a baaad chicken mama - mine were outside by 5.5 weeks. Temps were in the 20's and it snowed a day or two after they moved to the coop. It was still snowing in late May and we had a skiff on June 4th. I had taken them off the heat lamp the week before they were evicted, then began cracking a window in the room they were in. First night outside in the coop they had the lamp. I had a wireless thermometer out there and as the temps kept dropping I kept going out to check them. They were fine, all snuggled together and warm. I, on the other hand, was freezing every time I went out. Second night I checked on them once or twice - they were all snuggled together in front of the pop door, not even under the light. The next day I took out the lamp and that night I stayed in my warm bed. They are now beautiful chickens, starting to lay, and healthy as can be. Sometimes I think we overthink things.


Then.....


And now....

 

[donrae]

Mine went out to a grow out pen at just over 3 weeks this time. I still used a heat lamp at night for a week or so, but they were just fine.

I wish everyone who raised chicks could watch a momma hen raise hers, first. Once the babies are maybe a week or so old, they're not under momma hardly at all during the day. Even at that young age they're out and about, at whatever the temp is outside. I figure if they wouldn't be under momma, they don't need a heat lamp.

I have a little 4 week guy who got booted out with the older chicks, and there's no lamp at night anymore. He just snuggles and had been just fine. Feathering out fast, too

 

[Demidog]

Mine went out to a grow out pen at just over 3 weeks this time. I still used a heat lamp at night for a week or so, but they were just fine.

I wish everyone who raised chicks could watch a momma hen raise hers, first. Once the babies are maybe a week or so old, they're not under momma hardly at all during the day. Even at that young age they're out and about, at whatever the temp is outside. I figure if they wouldn't be under momma, they don't need a heat lamp.

I have a little 4 week guy who got booted out with the older chicks, and there's no lamp at night anymore. He just snuggles and had been just fine. Feathering out fast, too

So glad you've said that! I've been putting my chicks outside in the run during the day for the past few weeks, then bringing them in at night. The youngest ones are about 3 weeks, oldest about about 6 weeks. I'm not using a heat lamp! I had them first in my bathroom and was just turning on the lamp for a few hours at night and in the morning, but had it off when i went to bed and for most of the day (I've was paranoid about it burning, that thing is hot!) but it was always above 27 C in my bathroom without the lamp and my father in law told me the lamp isn't necessary because It's summer and it's really hot now. I stopped using the lamp completely a few weeks ago and they are fine. They all settle down for the night together and keep each other warm. Tonight I'm leaving them out over night for the first time.I'm worried about them though. My husband got some garden netting - like what you use to protect your plants - and covered the run with it. I need to go out now and check on them actually, before it gets dark. I'm going to stick a box in with some hay for them to sleep in so they don't get cold. The forecast says the lowest temp should be 17 C tonight. If it gets colder than that at night i can just bring them in again.

 

[ChickenLove6]

So, what kind are your two? They are very cute!
The taming stuff kind of goes along way when you are the surrogate mom. I have great success with dries meal worms - put some in your hand and let them see what you have. They have strong instincts to eat protein and worm shaped things fit the bill. That will overcome the fear of new things and big hand shaped things. ;-)
Pretty soon they will see your open hand and associate the words you say - whatever you call them - with the joy of protein treats. I called my first set Chicklets and the second set are Littles. Having another call that isn't an actual word but a whistle or cluck helps, too. You want to show the babies what is good to eat and they want you show them as well. Thankfully MOST of that food searching is instinctual!
Another treat is kind of a trick. White rice grains (cooked) look a lot maggots to a baby chicken and they are hard wired to go for it. You can't throw a lump of rice at them, though. Just a couple grains at a time like they are Bon-Bons.
Getting your chicks to associate you with the BEST treats and see your hand as the bringer of deliciousness is key. Don't reach from above, approach them open-handed at their eye level.
I would so love to see them enjoying your garden! A bug feast, perhaps?
These are my Littles, last week (4 weeks):

Thanks and They are both light sussex bantam cross silkies. I've started to whistle and cluck whenever I give them food and they've started to realise I'm here to keep them from starving. I'm going to give them some rice tomorrow and help them forage for bugs. Thanks for your help!

 

[ChickenLove6]

I guess I'm a baaad chicken mama - mine were outside by 5.5 weeks. Temps were in the 20's and it snowed a day or two after they moved to the coop. It was still snowing in late May and we had a skiff on June 4th. I had taken them off the heat lamp the week before they were evicted, then began cracking a window in the room they were in. First night outside in the coop they had the lamp. I had a wireless thermometer out there and as the temps kept dropping I kept going out to check them. They were fine, all snuggled together and warm. I, on the other hand, was freezing every time I went out. Second night I checked on them once or twice - they were all snuggled together in front of the pop door, not even under the light. The next day I took out the lamp and that night I stayed in my warm bed. They are now beautiful chickens, starting to lay, and healthy as can be. Sometimes I think we overthink things. Then..... And now....

I think i might let them live outside next week, thanks for the reassurance! Your chickens are lovely!

 

[ChickenLove6]

Mine went out to a grow out pen at just over 3 weeks this time. I still used a heat lamp at night for a week or so, but they were just fine. 

I wish everyone who raised chicks could watch a momma hen raise hers, first. Once the babies are maybe a week or so old, they're not under momma hardly at all during the day. Even at that young age they're out and about, at whatever the temp is outside. I figure if they wouldn't be under momma, they don't need a heat lamp. 

I have a little 4 week guy who got booted out with the older chicks, and there's no lamp at night anymore. He just snuggles and had been just fine. Feathering out fast, too 

I always thought that the chicks never ran under their mum as much as they would at day olds but I just ignored it and thought that I wasn't paying enough attention to them. Thanks for your help!