When can I bring baby chicks outside for a bit?

[3KillerBs]

I have a "new chicken owner" questiona. My chicks are 3.5 weeks old. Daytime temps are in the mid 90's so it warm enough for them to venture outside now. They have been in the coop from the brooder for 10 days. So my questions

1. Once I let them into the (covered, and fully fenced with 3/4 inch mesh wire) run, how do I get them back into the coop? When I put my hands into the coop to feed them, clean, etc, they come to me looking for food, and let me pet them, but the don't want to be picked up and will run when I try.

2. Do I need to stay out there with them?

3. How long should I let them outside into the run?

With a little luck, they'll figure out how to get back into the coop on their own. But if they don't you will need to teach them.

It's often recommended to let them out for the first time an hour before dusk and stay with them to ensure that they don't find some hazardous place to get stuck in.

They might go back in on their own as the light fades or you might need to herd them back in.

IMO, if you have to put them in because they've roosted in the run instead, it's important to put them through the pop door and not carry them around to the more convenient-for-you access door so that they learn where their door is.

Be aware that they might take some time to get brave enough to go out in the first place. Scattering some treats in the doorway helps with encouraging them both to come out and to go in.

 

[BonnieBlue]

With a little luck, they'll figure out how to get back into the coop on their own. But if they don't you will need to teach them.

It's often recommended to let them out for the first time an hour before dusk and stay with them to ensure that they don't find some hazardous place to get stuck in.

They might go back in on their own as the light fades or you might need to herd them back in.

IMO, if you have to put them in because they've roosted in the run instead, it's important to put them through the pop door and not carry them around to the more convenient-for-you access door so that they learn where their door is.

Be aware that they might take some time to get brave enough to go out in the first place. Scattering some treats in the doorway helps with encouraging them both to come out and to go in.

Thank you. I was thinking late afternoon with hopes they would go back in, or bribing them with mealworms. I have given those sparingly, and they love them so much, I think they would shank each other for them! lol

I need to start getting them outside, so I can clean the coop easier. They are getting bold, and wanting to get out whenever I open the door to feed them or clean the coop. Even with a makeshift wire mesh fence I can reach over, that blocks off the lower 2/3 of the door, they are trying to get over it when I open the coop door. I am taking that as a sign they want to explore more.

 

[Debbie292d]

I have some Easter eggers turning 4 weeks old next week and brahmas turning 2 weeks old (I know the brahmas still need some time) and days here are getting into the mid 60s-70s, when can I start bringing my chicks outside to play/explore a bit (in a pinned area) is there a certain temp I should wait or age?

It's been in the 80s here for a month, so I have brought out our few-day-old chicks in a pack-and-play that has the bottom out so they could start building up their cocci resistance and get some fresh air. I start by only 10 minutes or so each day it's this warm, and sit down in my lawn chair next to them the entire time.

If you think about it, if raised by a hen, they're already free ranging on their first day, so I try to get them out asap.

I don't let them sleep outside overnight in the temp coop until fully feathered, and the nights still get down to 50/55 (Wisconsin), so if under 2 months old, they get the cozy coop heater at night.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Well, the chicks had their first excursion into the run this evening. A few mealworms just outside the pop door, and the first 5 of them almost knocked me over to get to the out the door, then charged down the ramp. It was like "FREEEEDOOOOM". Four others took their time but after they poked their heads out and looked outside, joined their sisters. One took a good 15 minutes. She wasn't trusting any of it!

All of them went inside on their own at dusk, after an hour and a half outside. That was a huge relief!

So for subsequent outings, do I need to build up their time? At what age can they go outside all day? They will be four weeks tomorrow. The run is completly covered, and is wire mesh. Can I just stay in the area and keep an eye on them, instead of sitting in the run to supervise, like I did this evening? I know weather is not an issue. It was in the upper 80's for them this evening, and highs all week will be in the mid 90's.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So for subsequent outings, do I need to build up their time? At what age can they go outside all day? They will be four weeks tomorrow. The run is completly covered, and is wire mesh. Can I just stay in the area and keep an eye on them, instead of sitting in the run to supervise, like I did this evening? I know weather is not an issue. It was in the upper 80's for them this evening, and highs all week will be in the mid 90's.

They can be out all day in the run without supervision as long as it's completely finished at this point since heat isn't required. I don't really see a need to ramp up with them being 4 weeks old and the weather being warm.

 

[BonnieBlue]

They can be out all day in the run without supervision as long as it's completely finished at this point since heat isn't required. I don't really see a need to ramp up with them being 4 weeks old and the weather being warm.

Thank you. I have gone over it several times, and I can't find anywhere it doesn't seem finished. Because I work from home, I can keep an eye on them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you. I have gone over it several times, and I can't find anywhere it doesn't seem finished. Because I work from home, I can keep an eye on them.

Don't feel obligated to sit out there with them all day. It's fun for a little while, but once you feel more comfortable with them being out and about in their area, you can walk away and just check in on them sporadically.

 

[3KillerBs]

As long as they have access to their feed and water (a second waterer in the run is a good idea), and they know how to get in and out they should be fine all day.

Check on them from time to time to make sure that there is shade available and that they haven't gotten into a predicament.

 

[BonnieBlue]

As long as they have access to their feed and water (a second waterer in the run is a good idea), and they know how to get in and out they should be fine all day.

Check on them from time to time to make sure that there is shade available and that they haven't gotten into a predicament.

Thanks you for the info. I have a waterer in the run, which they used quite heavily yesterday evening while we were there, and I hope to introduce them to the horizontal nipple waterer out there. I am looking for anything I can do for rat prevention, and I hope that will make the run less inviting. I have a fan with good output blowing into the run, so they can stay cooled down. At least as much as possible. It is a full covered run, closed on two sides, so they will only get sun in half of the run up until late morning, then afternoon is all shade. I *think* I have things covered, but being a new chicken owner, I want to make sure I am doing what I can to keep them healthy and happy.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks you for the info. I have a waterer in the run, which they used quite heavily yesterday evening while we were there, and I hope to introduce them to the horizontal nipple waterer out there. I am looking for anything I can do for rat prevention, and I hope that will make the run less inviting. I have a fan with good output blowing into the run, so they can stay cooled down. At least as much as possible. It is a full covered run, closed on two sides, so they will only get sun in half of the run up until late morning, then afternoon is all shade. I *think* I have things covered, but being a new chicken owner, I want to make sure I am doing what I can to keep them healthy and happy.

Sounds like you're setting up a nice little chicken paradise.