When can I put my chicks outside in the henhouse?

[selenek]

I live in Southern California--the days are warm (about 80 degrees) and the nights are cooler (about 65 degrees). My question is: How old do my chicks need to be before I can put them into the chicken coop in my backyard? My chicks will be four weeks old in a few days. They are outgrowing the brooder box and are hell bent on escaping (they keep flying out when I open it to feed them or clean it). The are also getting progressively more skittish, even though I am very gentle with them. I think they are just bored and being outside will at least allow them to see more than the sides of a big box. What are your thoughts?

 

[RonC]

Generally when they are fully feathered they can go out. Mine were 4 weeks when they got the boot. Was still getting in the mid fifties at night but they huddled together in the coop and were fine. Seventies in the daytime and sunny. You and them both will enjoy them being outside.

 

[bobbi-j]

Mine went out to the coop at 2 days old in April. We live in MN, and I made sure they had a heatlamp until they were fully feathered. When a broody is allowed to raise chicks her own way, she has them outside running around in a couple of days. I think if the mama takes them outside, it's a sign that we can let them out, too. However, I would not let baby chicks out of the coop unless I had a VERY secure run for them to hang out in until they were at least half-grown. That's my personal choice, because I have wild barn cats that would take a baby chick in a heartbeat.

 

[SarahMcD]

Same as these other replies - I put mine out as soon as they have feathers. I keep them in a covered space so the hawks don't get them - until they're about 1/2 grown...not that a hawk won't get them then but they seem to fare better.

 

[selenek]

Thanks for the information. They are all rapidly losing their down and feathers are appearing all over. They certainly can fly around pretty well on their newly feathered wings.

We have a lovely chicken coop with secure latches (read raccoon and possum proof) with a run covered sides and top with narrow mesh wire on top and bottom and securely anchored to the ground. From what you are saying, here in Southern California, I should be able to put them outside without issue very shortly. At the rate they are feathering out, I figure they should be good to go in a week or two. Yeah!