when should i let them out

[raymondjames]

my chicks are nearing a week old and some people will let theirs out early but are mine going to be good at 50~F every night?

 

[gritsar]

By letting them out I assume you mean let them live in the coop?

50 degrees is too cold for week old chicks. You can go by the rule of thumb of temps. in the 90-95* range the first week, decreasing by 5* a week until such time as you are down to 70* (end of week 5), at which point they should no longer need supplemental heat.

I start taking chicks out for short periods at 2 weeks old, providing temps. are at least in the 70s and it's not damp or windy.

 

[SteveBaz]

Now if you have a brooder box attached to the coop and you can keep them in with a heat lamp in the 80+ you may get away with that. Must have ventilation and a place to get out of the heat if to hot