when can chicks move outside?

[SD Bird Lady]

I"m in the same situation here in Indiana. It actually snowed last night. I have four chicks, born 2/17, so a little over 4 weeks. They are about 80% feathered out. I have them in my guest bathroom. They are also getting a little squirlly in there, but it seems too cold outside. I have a full size coop, but nothing for the interim period. I am thinking of getting a wired crate so I can get them used to being outside, but this week our hight temp is only 40 degrees. They have an indoor temp of 80 degrees, so it still seems drastic to take them to the garage.

Do you have a porch or insulated garage? Before I kick mine out I left them in the 45 - 50 degree basement with no heat for a week or so then booted them to the coop in a wire crate with a heat lamp so that they weren't in for such a huge shock. They all adjusted fine.

 

[debid]

I put mine out the day I get them. With heat, of course. But yeah, not everyone broods in their house because of the dust and the smell. Chicks do fine if you can block the drafts at chick level (i.e. close the pop door) and give them a heat lamp.

 

[angelobutter]

ya mostly just worried because it is like 25 degrees outside right now- during the day, so i know it gets much much colder at night

 

[SD Bird Lady]

If it makes you more comfortable to wait then wait. It is your choice ultimatly. So if it will cause you to lose sleep wait a while. It is a lot like raising children. With my first batch of chicks & also with my oldest child I was very careful to do everything right......now as long as there isn't a ER visit involved than we did fine lol. Like moving the chicks out...if you do and they seem to be struggling you can always take them back in. And at the age they are it is unlikely any will die from one night out in the great outdoors.

 

[runneranne68]

Thanks, everyone! I think I will wait another week, put them in the garage with the lamp, then move them to the coop.