When Should I Put My Chicks Out in the Coop.........

[gavinandallison]

Many thanks.......... Am giving them a few hours outside each day now........... They love it........ Will probably leave them outside from this weekend onwards....

 

[BeccaB00]

They can go out for good at 3 weeks old.
last batch I hatched went outside at 3 weeks.

 

[Beth G.]

I kept mine in for a few days at 5 weeks old and then let them out. They seem to blend right in and b/c I have a big coop and run, the big girls didn't bother them much. They also learned their getting out of the way fast to big beaks....

It truely was interesting to watch.

 

[alcina_dreamer]

I just put my 10 four week olds out in the coop with the big girls. I fenced off a little area with wire the chicks could fit thru so they could get away from the others if they needed to. when I went to check on them this morning they were all out scratching with the big girls.

 

[gavinandallison]

Am giving the girls their longest time outside, will leave them there until just before dusk......

 

[sharol]

I hear that. My 3 week olds are driving me nuts. I put them out in the run/coop for several hours each day until it gets up toward 100 (it is supposed to rain tomorrow, so I don't know how we will handle that) to give them more room, but they are so crowded in the brooder that I either need to transition them outside or find a larger brooder. I'm considering running an extension cord for a heat lamp in the coop.

I get up in the morning and they are bigger and have more feathers than they did when we all went to bed.

Quote:

 

[write2caroline]

It has been so hot here in Florida - Mine last batch went out at week two. They were in a good safe coop, and by week 4 they could go in and out and were all fine. So - It depends on their age, feathering, outdoor temp. I actually had a tough time keeping them cool that second week when it hit 105. They sure love watermelon now. And frozen sherbet containers filled with water. I have 20 in that batch and they would fight over who got to sit on them.

I have 7 more in the brooder and it is still 80 something degrees at night so I am planning on taking them to their new coop week 2 if it stays hot.

Caroline

 

[gavinandallison]

Finally made a decision. They go our next week on my days off and will stay out. They will be 6 weeks old by then.

I want to thank all our new found friends for the valuable information, and I'll post progress reports on them all..........

Gavin and Allison.

 

[BarredBuff]

I did six weeks. Only because they were big and stinky. But 4 weeks is fine in this hot weather.

 

[Robo]

I always wail until they get their feathers. After that they should be fine.