When can chicks take short trip outside?

[GreenGarden]

I've read many posts/articles about when to permanently move chicks outside (ie: when they're fully feathered), but I have a question about when they can just take a short trip outside.

My 5 silkie chicks are 11 days old today. We live in Texas, and it's in the 90's outside. I wanted to have them go outside for about 20-30 minutes supervised in a small area that is penned off. If it's warm enough outside, what are the concerns for letting/not letting them outside yet? Should I confine them to a penned area on the concrete, or can I let them on the grass at such a young age? I wanted to let them outside because it's a nice day, and I've read so much about cocci that I thought it'd be good for their immune system to be exposed outside for a short period.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[0wen]

At that age they could go outside in those temperatures for sure. I'd give them some chick grit, if you haven't, before allowing them to pick at grass, bugs, etc..

I brood my chicks outside in the coop and they run around away from the heat relatively often even in cool temps..

 

[Sara Ranch]

It's a personal decision.

At that age, their immune systems are still developing and they are more susceptible to stuff than an 11 week old chicken.

At about 3 weeks, I had the windows open in their room full time.

At about 4 weeks, I left the outside door open (to the sunroom, where they lived) and encouraged ventures outside onto the deck. I also would randomly pick up a chick and walk it outside (holding it the entire time) just so it could be outside.

At about 5 weeks, they were on the grass.

At about 7 weeks, I think they were in the coop.

Some would say this was way too soon, but it worked for me.

 

[Chickassan]

I let mine out in a chick pen at 1 week. I kind of did them like kids encouraged them to get in the dirt.