When can my chicks go outside for part of the day? Confused

[gritsar]

I totally agree with TXmom. Think of it this way, mama hen doesn't keep them under her wings all the time for eight weeks or more. It's like little cimarron said, she's not on them constantly.
I started taking my two week old chicks outside in April. At first watching them constantly for chilling and danger. They got less and less supervision as they got older. By 5 1/2 weeks (late May) they were living outside without a heat lamp.

 

[TXmom]

I gave them Parakeet grit in their brooder in a tupperware lid turned upside down. They love it and think it's the best treat! I don't understand it...just looks like bland sand to me

Now that mine are 10 weeks, I started giving them the real Chicken grit and they like it OK, but not as much as the sandy grit...LOL.

 

[fzouk]

This is exciting to read! I think tomorrow is supposed to get stormy again so it won't happen for a few days but I can't wait to take my little chicks outside for a field trip! They're 2 weeks old now so I'll make sure it's a nice warm not-so-windy day and do all the things you all are suggesting. I think they'd love it!

 

[moonflowers]

Thanks for the topic! I took two of my little chicks outside the other day for a quick phot shoot by all the violets and dandelions but felt guilty for doing so (I thought 70 might be too cold for them). I am now looking forward to the next warm day so we can take another field trip!!

 

[JennsPeeps]

I try to approach raising my chicks as if I were a hen, not a person.

Hens:
* don't keep their chicks under their feathers 24/7
* snuggle with their chicks at night
* show their chicks yummy treats from an early age
* take their chicks outside right away

To approximate this, I:
* let my 2 chicks run around the kitchen for short periods - our house is kept at 64 degrees
* snuggle my chicks in my robe or sweater in the evenings. One loves to burrow deep into my robe & the other sticks her head out (I put a towel under them to catch their poo)
* took my chicks outside today & put them in a pen (to protect them from the older hens & from me, since I was using a shovel & moving things around). Temp was around 60, sunny & a very slight breeze. They're nearly 4 weeks old and spent about 3 hours outside. They were happy & didn't complain until mid-afternoon when they started to look cold.
* give them parakeet grit whenever I feel like it - they love it
* feed them crickets, worms, yogurt, and other little things

 

[wings]

Quote:
I totally understand. Most of the whole chicken raising is just common sense. You have BYC to help you. Everything will be fine.

 

[Elven Dreams]

Love this thread. Lol

I've started taking my two+ week old chicks out to the pen my husband built on the few sunny days we've had. Today it was 77 and gorgeous and they spent about 5 hours out there! I had food and water available and the pen has a roof for shade. They loved it!

guesswhatchickenbutt~ ( <- I love that!) I'm a newbie too and BYC is the BEST place I have found online for chicken info and super friendly people. This is truly the best forum I have EVER joined.
Good Luck with your chicks!

 

[Judy]

You can just put the "baby grit" out by their food and let them eat it free choice. They might not eat much if you have sandy/limestone soil, as they can get the grit they need as sand.

My mama took her chick out daily starting at 3 days in the middle of winter. Chick would go under mother's wing when cold, warm up, then go foraging again. You'll know if they are cold if they have something like a cardboard box to retreat to.

 

[breezy]

Ok all you guys having such warm weather are making me jealous. It was 8 degrees here today with the wind chill factored in. I would be happy if we could get it up to the high 40's at this point. Anyone feel like sending some warm weather to Colorado?

 

[Nicola]

do u give chicks grit when they are eating chick starter and grower???