when can they go outside for the night?

[lisamarie]

Hi All,

I have 6 week old chicks and I am wondering if it's too early to leave them outside in coop for the night? they are all fully feathered except for my Brahma (not sure why she is slow to get feathers) and the temps will be in the low to mid 40's during the night and the '70s during the day. I have 2 orpingtons, 1 jersey giant, 1 silkie, 1 brahma, and 2 ameracauna. If it's too early, when should I wait until?

thanks!

 

[pattee]

I'd like to also... know.
6 weeks~ mine are 2 weeks.... and I thought at 3 weeks they might go out.... maybe not now!

 

[raindrop]

Mine have been out since 3 1/2 weeks (40 at night, 50-60 day) with a 250 watt heat lamp. Coop windows open in the day for fresh air, closed at night so no drafts. They are fine.

Edited to add- I actually have 2 lights (one night was 33 so I added a 100 watt light). I turn the 250 off in the day as long as it will be warmer than 55ish and use the 100. I turn both off during the day if the temp is 65 or warmer.

 

[PuffMommy]

I can't answer your question but it made me think of another question...I'm due to get my chicks on June 4th and was wondering if it will be warm enough to keep the brooder in the garage with the lamp until i get my coop?

 

[catfish]

Mine have been outside since 2 weeks, the first 3 days we went out to make sure they was in the coop, after that they needed no prmpting as they don't like the dark.

I started with 2 250 watt heat lights just for redundencey in case one blew out. Now theres one light on. Chicks aren't nearly as fragile as you think they are to temps that aren't just plain cold.
If your cold they prolly are too. If your comfortable they are too.

Now the teens are 5 weeks old and don't even consider going inside till it dark.

The Brood Hen and 7 chicks, she rarely takes them inside til its dark. They don't spend much time under her staying warm either with 70 to 80 degree days. Just a few times a day more for sleeping I think than to actually stay warm.

They're Cuckoo Marans if that matters.

 

[ebonykawai]

As long as your natural temps, or heatlamp temps, are OK for their age, they can be in the coop at any age.

 

[balticbabe]

Quote:
Is there a chart somewhere that tells what temp for what age? Mine at 4 wks are getting too rambunctious for the kitchen.

 

[pattee]

That's good to know.
About the temps.
Mine are getting quite rambunctious too! They are in my bathroom.... and they are waning to fly!

Now would you still keep them in the brooding pen inside the coop? That would me my question to the ones with experience.


one husband
one son
one old dog
one cat
10 chicks

And several raccoons, and skunk ....

 

[BearSwampChick]

Quote:
Same here!

 

[catfish]

Quote:
Is there a chart somewhere that tells what temp for what age? Mine at 4 wks are getting too rambunctious for the kitchen.

Chicken Timeline.
http://www.freewebs.com/professorchicken/timelineofachicken.htm

Great reference.