When can I start bringing my chicks outside?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi,

I have four 1 week old chicks. They are black sex-links, but some are growing faster than others. lol How old should they be when I start bringing them outside for "play dates" with Blamo, who they will live with later in their life.

Thanks!
- Clucky

 

[Mamatomany123]

Is Blamo a hen or a rooster? Either way I wouldnt just put them out there with an older chicken. See but not touch. Make sure s barrier is between them. If it's a rooster though you will have to wait a bit longer until they are closer in size.

 

[aart]

Set up a place that is secure, with some shade, some sun, and wind blocked.
Pay very close attention to if they are too cold.
NE USA is pretty chilly for 1 week olds.

 

[Kgbao]

Set up a place that is secure, with some shade, some sun, and wind blocked.
Pay very close attention to if they are too cold.
NE USA is pretty chilly for 1 week olds.

@aart,

On this subject I’ve been wondering the same thing, would it be safe to take my almost 3 week olds, out for a play date in Georgia? Forecast for Thursday is calling for mid to high 70s and a light breeze?

Thanks

 

[aart]

@aart,

On this subject I’ve been wondering the same thing, would it be safe to take my almost 3 week olds, out for a play date in Georgia? Forecast for Thursday is calling for mid to high 70s and a light breeze?

Thanks

Yes, still need to have a place that is secure, with some shade, some sun, and wind blocked.
You'll probably have to watch they don't over-heat.

Here I had set ups for two group of chicks to have day trips to the big outdoors.
To the left are the older birds in a 2x4" welded wire 'corral' 6ft tall, with a tote lid rigged for shade and the bucket provided a wind block. To the right is the younger birds in a 1/2" HC enclosure made from a brooder lid I built, with a box for shade and wind block.

 

[Kgbao]

Yes, still need to have a place that is secure, with some shade, some sun, and wind blocked.
You'll probably have to watch they don't over-heat.

Here I had set ups for two group of chicks to have day trips to the big outdoors.
To the left are the older birds in a 2x4" welded wire 'corral' 6ft tall, with a tote lid rigged for shade and the bucket provided a wind block. To the right is the younger birds in a 1/2" HC enclosure made from a brooder lid I built, with a box for shade and wind block.

View attachment 2081535

Thanks @aart I will try to get them out side today and get some pics also, they sure are growing fast. Hopefully during a break from the coop build I can do this.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Is Blamo a hen or a rooster? Either way I wouldnt just put them out there with an older chicken. See but not touch. Make sure s barrier is between them. If it's a rooster though you will have to wait a bit longer until they are closer in size.

Hello,

Blamo is a hen. Yes, I've been reading all about that and I know what to do. Thanks though.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Set up a place that is secure, with some shade, some sun, and wind blocked.
Pay very close attention to if they are too cold.
NE USA is pretty chilly for 1 week olds.

@aart, thank you for your help! We've been having some pretty nice days.

 

[Maple Hill Homestead]

So wondering the same thing, it is suppose to be in the low to mid 80s today, nice breeze. Gorgeous day. I have an open air coop for my almost 4 week old chicks (4 wks this weekend). Plenty of sun and shade. Plenty of wind block (it is almost entirely wind blocked.) I'm still putting the finishing touches on it but they spent an hour or two in it yesterday while I was nearby in the garden. It's covered with a roof and as predator proof as I can get it. Can they spend the day out there? I don't have electric out there so no way to put a heat lamp up but they aren't using it much these days anyways, just at night really. Would I need to sit out there with them or be nearby or would they be fine with just being checked on every hour or two?

 

[aart]

Would I need to sit out there with them or be nearby or would they be fine with just being checked on every hour or two?

Dd you read the whole thread?
You have to keep an eye on them,
we might feel warm but the chicks can get easily chilled, or overheated in the sun.