When can they go outside?

[Chicknoob101]

I have 5 chicks currently, I bought them at tractor supply at the same time. Two of them are barred rocks and they were much older than the other three based on how big they are now! They’re about 3 weeks old almost 4 if I had to guess and the other three chicks are about 2 1/2 weeks. I live in Louisiana where it’s pretty warm and humid most of the time, temperature is about 78 with lows of around 55-60 at night. Is it possible to move them outside already? I have them in a storage tote brooder now, and I’ve begun weening them off of the heat lamp (it stays pretty warm in the house), and I feel they’re outgrowing the bin and would be much happier outside where they can roam a bit. Plus it’d be nice to clean all of the dust off of everything. Would now be an okay time or should I wait another week or two?

 

[azygous]

Your temps are ideal for moving the chicks outside immediately.

I have new chicks, currently aged one week old and three weeks old. They've all been outside now for about four days, the older ones for over two weeks. My temps range from 50F to 70F during the day and 30s to 40s at night. The three-week olds do not use the heat source at all during the day, and the one-week olds only very occasionally.

I brood right in my run with the heating pad system. All six chicks sleep together in the heating pad cave at night. When the youngest reach five weeks old, they will all be trained to live in the coop by transitioning them from the heating pad cave to a fuzzy cat bed. A week after that, I will then train them to roost.

As long as the nights are 50F or above, no heat will be required after they move into the coop. I've followed this system for years now, and there usually are no problems other than being patient while I teach them to go inside the coop at night on their own. They usually get that concept down pretty quickly.

 

[SunriseChickers]

I started letting my girls hang out in a confined space during the day when they were about two weeks, but they were within my sights all the time. I forget when I moved them out for good, maybe at a couple of months. I didn't let them out of the larger pen to free-range until they were maybe 3 or 4 months, not sure. They are my first flock, so I may have been able to be laxer with them.

 

[igorsMistress]

Now is the perfect time!

 

[babyratt]

I have 5 chicks currently, I bought them at tractor supply at the same time. Two of them are barred rocks and they were much older than the other three based on how big they are now! They’re about 3 weeks old almost 4 if I had to guess and the other three chicks are about 2 1/2 weeks. I live in Louisiana where it’s pretty warm and humid most of the time, temperature is about 78 with lows of around 55-60 at night. Is it possible to move them outside already? I have them in a storage tote brooder now, and I’ve begun weening them off of the heat lamp (it stays pretty warm in the house), and I feel they’re outgrowing the bin and would be much happier outside where they can roam a bit. Plus it’d be nice to clean all of the dust off of everything. Would now be an okay time or should I wait another week or two?

That looks like my brooder in 2 wks, we go on a short vacation. I think it would be better for my neighbor to babysit if they're outside. I can still provide the heat lamp. Any thoughts?