When is it safe to let them out side?

[UBkevy]

Hi all,

I have been reading this forum for a few weeks and it convinced me to get some birds. I wanted what seems to be the basic birds Barred Rocks, Australorps, Ameraucanas (great- grandpa had these) and Buff Orpingtons. I looked around and TSC only had Red sex-links and 10 black cochins 1 time (I kinda like them now). But to make a long story short I have 6 Golden comets and 6 red-sex links that are 3-4weeks old and just got 3 Barred Rocks and 3 Partridge Rocks that are 4 days old.


I am from buffalo ny. right now it has been averaging H-65 L-50. Do you think they will be able to be outside by day soon? Or would it be better to wait until the end of the month when it normally averages H-70 L-55.

 

[kb010]

I gradually start introducing my birds to the outdoors. I started when they were about 2 wks by letting them out on a warm day for about 15 mins. Of course I stayed with them to make sure no one was too stressed, acting cold, etc. I have been increasing the time, and plan out putting them out in their coop by the end of the week. They are currently about 4 1/2 wks old. As a rule they should be fully feathered before you put them out for good. Also, they need a heat lamp for the nights, esp. in a cooler climate like buffalo.
IMO, you should wait until the end of the month just to be sure. Use your best judgement.

 

[Tala]

Mine have been outside since 2 weeks old.

Granted it's somewhat warmer here, but by 4.5 weeks they have pretty decent feathers.
Their heat lamp is on 24/7 in their house, and the can go under it whenever they get cool. I lock them inside at night.

 

[firedove]

I wouldn't put them out any younger than 6 weeks old in New York unless you put a lamp out with them. You can take them out for little forays on nice warm dry days though. Stay with them though, little chicks are easy prey for cats and birds of prey. Even a crow will make a try at a little chick.

 

[tryingtohaveitall]

We put ours out when they were 3 weeks old with a heat lamp in the coop at night. The temps here have been high 60's during the day and the chicks don't seem to mnd. They've been happily foraging amongst the trees and under the coop.

 

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
I do this too, but I don't put them outside for good until 6-8 weeks old because there's no power in the tractor so they don't have a light...

 

[thedeacon]

If finally warmed up enough here to let them out. They are now 5 wks old, been out about 1 week. Day temp 50-60. Last night temp was mid 50 and at 10 PM many were sleeping outside. Rained early this AM, didn't see any outside.
They can go out about anytime as long as they have the warmth and dry inside to retreat too.

 

[UBkevy]

so you guess would saw when they are 5-6 weeks old. and maybe a bit sooner if just for the day? When are they fully feathered out to the point when weather does not effect them?

 

[gaduke]

I put mine out at 5 weeks and they are doing fine! Temps are highs in mid to low 70's and lows are mid 50's. And lots of rain (blah!)

 

[Ol'FashionHen]

I took my chickies for outtings everyday ( bout 2-3 days old) while they where brooding for bout half an hour. They loved it...they would run, fly, jump... if the weather was nice they would stay out longer. When it is cold they go out a little but only for 10-15 min if it was not too cold. I put them in the coop with a light at 3 weeks old.