When do you first let chicks have a little wander outside?

[nbuuifx]

My chicks are about 10 days old now. It's been a few years since I last hatched in the incubator and I've forgotten some things / am over thinking some things!

When do you first let them have a supervised wander outside? My instincts say it could be any time for short bursts as they would do in the wild. However I seem to remember the advice being not too early as they can pick up bacteria etc.

It is currently 15*C and cloudy today.

Thanks

 

[DobieLover]

My chicks are about 10 days old now. It's been a few years since I last hatched in the incubator and I've forgotten some things / am over thinking some things!

When do you first let them have a supervised wander outside? My instincts say it could be any time for short bursts as they would do in the wild. However I seem to remember the advice being not too early as they can pick up bacteria etc.

It is currently 15*C and cloudy today.

Thanks

A broody hen will take her chicks out soon than 10 days old. I'd take them out.

 

[Henriettamom919]

I agree with @DobieLover , mine were out in a baby chick style play pen in the first week!

Take video! SO CUTE! Enjoy!

 

[cleoandtheflock]

They can go outside for little wanderings now

 

[nbuuifx]

Thanks, I'll take them for a little wander.

 

[Shadrach]

My chicks are about 10 days old now. It's been a few years since I last hatched in the incubator and I've forgotten some things / am over thinking some things!

When do you first let them have a supervised wander outside? My instincts say it could be any time for short bursts as they would do in the wild. However I seem to remember the advice being not too early as they can pick up bacteria etc.

It is currently 15*C and cloudy today.

Thanks

Now!
The earlier the better. There's stuff they need to learn about out there.

 

[PirateGirl]

Totally depends on the weather. If/when you take them out watch their behavior. If they show signs of being cold/chilled, bring them in. Some things to look for are standing still, puffed up, huddling in a group, standing on one leg/alternating legs, or when they stop being active and stop walking/scratching/exploring.

 

[AquaDuck]

For the chicks, it's the sooner the better. 10 days is when they start wandering away from their mother to explore, so it's a good time to set them free. Not literally though. Constant supervision and make sure you can catch them easily, 'cause they're surprisingly fast.

 

[nbuuifx]

I gave them a go, they didn't stray far at all. They seemed to prefer the patio rather than the grass. They kept picking bits out of the grass and bringing them back to the patio. They spent a good bit of time running in circles round my feet or sitting on my feet.

They never really looked cold at all. They were still happily pecking away when I took them back in. Will give them a few minutes every day.

I've also made a new brooder for them as they were outgrowing the current one. The new one is much bigger but has the potential to be colder. They still have the electric hen to go under though. The new one is a large dog crate. I have boarded 3 of the sides to about 15" high to reduce drafts and to stop the wood shavings from going everywhere. They seem to spend quite a bit of time just wandering around though so I don't think they're needing the heat as much.

The crate is in the garage so will be a colder room as well. I have put some fleecy dog blankets over the crate for the night - just leaving the front open to allow fresh air to flow.

Does that all sound ok?

 

[nbuuifx]

A few pictures from their first outing