when can chicks start going out for the day? [New Hampshire]

[mikemason]

I tried searching for this .. so sorry if it's been covered...

my hens are about 5 weeks old... a few wing & tail feathers but still a lot of down.

when can they go out for the day while I'm at work?

I read it's when they have all feathers.. ?

I live in NH so some days it's sunny & hot, others it's windy and only in the 70's

I made a coop, but right now they live in my kitchen.

 

[PhilErvin]

Do they have shade that is available ALL day? Is their area safe from predators (including hawks)? Remember you're their momma so you MUST protect them. Can they get to a heat source if they need to?
If you answered NO to any of these questions then I would leave them locked up till they are bigger.
Welcome to this addiction.

 

[chicknerd]

Hi Mike

I live just a few miles away and I have all my chicks (5-10 weeks old) save the 2 week old ones, outside all day rain or shine. I do have an enclosed 3x3x8 run attached to the coop for them. I also have a fenced in yard and a dog that is out all day. I don't worry about leaving them, mostly because of the enclosed run and the dog. I was in Boston all day Friday and they were fine.

I do give them as much outdoor time as possible.

 

[vtara16]

I also have mine out all day in the run. I take them in at night, only because I lost a hen a few weeks ago.

 

[tammye]

Hi Mike, I live in NH also, welcome to the wonderful world of raising chickens.

Are you planning on free ranging them all day? If so I would wait until they are full grown. A hawk can take a small chicken, nerve mind everything else out there, neighbors dogs, cats, a fox, ect...If you have a closed run(covered top also) then, I would guess you could leave them out. But beware a snake or a weasel can get through chicken wire. Good luck, enjoy your girls.