When can my chicks go outside?

[Hoover67]

I have been letting my chicks out in the back yard during the day (temp ~90's). When can they stay outside all night? The night temperatures are in the 70's. They are so cute! I love to see them scratching in the grass!

Thanks,Michele

 

[gritsar]

You mean outside in a coop right? Your chicks can tolerate nighttime temps of 70 degrees when they are about 5 to 6 weeks old.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Ours were in their coop by 5 weeks and the temps got down into upper 40's and they were fine. We do have an insulated coop tho. It stayed about 70 in there.

 

[Hoover67]

Great. They just seem to love being out of the brooder during the day. I cannot believe how much fun it is to watch them scratch!!!

Michele

 

[TheSavoieFarm]

5 weeks eh? I must be a bad keeper...I put my chicks outside when they were about 3 weeks old

 

[robinaggie]

I put mine outside at two days old, and the night temps were mid- 70's. I didn't know any better - but they were fine in their little nest box in the pen. Until a predator killed one at six-weeks. Be careful! :|

 

[lovemychicks9]

Quote:
Me too I guess. My chicks have never known what the inside of my coop looks like and I bet they would be soo mad if they did. I have never put them inside just out in the coop even in the very cold early spring, just used a heat lamp. My 3 week olds never even had that, I just used a 25 watt bulb on them and it was plenty warm in the coop at night for them. They are certainly thriving now and I am so glad for that. I try to raise all of them as close to natural as I can.