When can my meaties go outside?

[barrybro]

Unless the weather is going to be in the 40's at night I would put them out at 14 days. 4 weeks is way too long even if it is cold out. Those birds are heat machines and they can take cold a lot sooner than egg layers.

Barry

 

[Cryssie_Bou]

mine are around 3 weeks old.. will be a month old on the 24th and I'm hoping to move the meaties outside THIS WEEKEND!!! their driving me nutz..lol messy wouldnt decribe it.. my pullet chicks arent half as messy.. plus i need the bigger brooder for them


Cryssie

 

[MyFirstFarm]

Thanks so much, folks! I'll keep an eye on the nighttime temps but I'm thinking we should be good to go in two weeks. Hooray!

Now, to get that chicken tractor built...

(PS - this place is GREAT!)

 

[chickenfeverforever]

Quote:
If you need any ideas on a chicken tractor.....We built one a few days ago. Heres the thread with pics.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=518595

 

[Jschaaff]

Mine were out of the brooder and outside in the tractor with a heat lamp at 2 weeks (nights were dipping in the 30's, but averaged about 50) until they were 3 weeks..then we pulled the heatlamp at 3 weeks, and they've been fine since!

-Jessa

 

[madamwlf]

Quote:
Exactly. Those are the birds I'm doing now. I want some personal size birds.

 

[MyFirstFarm]

Thanks, chickenfever, I did see your thread and that is exactly the plan I am going to use!

 

[Denninmi]

Mine seem awfully lethargic compared to the pullet chicks I've raised before -- they mostly just lay there when not eating or drinking. But, I am assuming this is normal for the breed based on the genetics -- just eating machines, nothing more. They are definitely gaining weight in just 3 days, so I don't think anything is wrong. Learning experience for me.

 

[Birdinhand]

reviving an old thread since I didn't get an answer on this topic on another thread. I've got 4 week old COBB 500 cornish cross, they are happy, healthy and huge. they are pretty feathered out at this point. we've got night time temps mostly in the low 40's, sometimes upper 30's and day time temps in the 50's. in the last few days the chicks seem to be much less heat lamp dependent and I'd like to pull the plug on the lamp. does anyone have any suggestions on how soon these guys can go without a heat lamp. I'm in the Seattle area.

 

[jennyf]

Based on mine, I think you'd be fine. You might raise the lamp with blocks or some other method to wean them gradually. I did that and also started by turning off the lamp in the daytime and just leaving on at night for a few days first.