When can I take my babies outside on the grass to explore?

[ashswag14]

This is my first time, obviously. I'm going to be incubating 18 eggs. I have that part down. But afterwards is where I'm still learning. When they hatch (hopefully) I know you leave them in the incubator for a day or two. But when you take them out, how long until you can let them explore outside? I won't be keeping them so I'll just have them in a brooder until they are in their new homes. Do I just leave them in there the whole time or can I take them on the grass? Do they have to be in there a certain amount of time before they go to their new homes or when are they ready to leave? Also I live in Texas so it'll be pretty hot here

 

[mpguay]

You will love chickens!

Have your brooder ready a few days before hatching. I like a large cardboard box, with pine shavings and a heat lamp. thermometer also.
as soon as each chicks is dry, take him from the incubator to the brooder. Dip his beak in fresh water. make sure he gets a drink.
Put crumbles out in a feeder.
You'll need to get the used to you before braving the outdoors. They also need 95 degree heat for the first week, 90 for the second, etc.
Sit with them indoors while they get used to you.
on a nice sunny day after about 2 weeks, take the whole box outside. leave their food and water in the box, cut a little door for them.
They should instinctively know to dive back into the box when spooked.

The will be delighted with fresh greens and fresh air.

Do you have your coop ready?

 

[ashswag14]

I don't have a coop ready because I wasn't going to keep them. Just hatching them and giving them to ranches. I already have a few wanting some. I know nothing about keeping chickens and coops lol. Would it be expensive to get one if I decided to? How big does it need to be and how do I take care of it?

 

[mpguay]

Do you have the space for chickens?
A coop is a very secure place for them to be locked up at night. Doesnt have to be big. Perches with 2sqft a bird.
You need to supply feed and water.
They need a place to scratch around during the day. They will get back in the coop every evening by themselves. you just need to lock them up. Let them out in the morning, either free range or into a pen.

Im not sure how much you know from there. should I go on?

 

[ashswag14]

I do have space but.. Will they need to be outside all day? Because we're gone during the day and the neighbors have dogs that I'm sure would love a snack. Also it gets pretty hot here, up to 120 in the summer. Would I need to put a fan in the coop?

 

[goose4]

Last year we made a fairly large pen out of chicken wire and started putting them out for supervised outdoor visits ( chicken time) at about 2 weeks. At first they didn't stay out for more than 10 or 15 minutes but the times got gradually longer. They are fun to watch they immeadiately start scratching and pecking at the ground. We even had a few things they could perch on.

 

[mpguay]

you want them to be out as much as possible. but there are predators. neighbor dogs and cats, and if you are more rural - coyotes, fox, raccoon etc.

I put a fan in the coop in summer. and three sides are chicken wire, so ventilation is very good. Im in north georgia.

how much space do you have?