when can these peepers go outside??

[wjallen05]

I have 24 adorable but annoying little peepers who were born on 1-7. I changed their light to a 60 watt and they are doing fine with that, not even sure if they need it anymore. My second order of chicks is shipping on the 28th of this month, so I'd like to get them outside as soon as possible. When do yall think they will be old enough to be outside? I have a great place to keep them, and can keep a light on them (100 watt?). It's usually 50s during the day and 30s at night but sometimes gets below 20 at night.
TIA!

 

[jforsness]

I'd say in about 3 weeks. They should be fully feathered with plenty of insulating downy feathers. You'll want to "harden" them off by having them spend several hours in the colder temps before they're out for good.

 

[wjallen05]

3 weeks from now or when they are 3 weeks old?

 

[Chicken Woman]

I would say at 5 weeks if you can keep them warm and preditor safe.

 

[morelcabin]

With a red heat lamp you could put them in a pen of thier own out in the coop right now. Just make sure the lamp is low enough for them to get good heat under it at night. (about 18" from the bedding. I put mine out as day olds in April/May here and they do well, even on 0C nights. I have never kept them in the house, and I have never lost any to illness or cold either:>).

 

[Felicitas]

Wow, great news. I've got 18 peeps a week older than OPs and we are all ready for them to be outside (chicks are ready too.) Now to finish the coop ...