When should they go out?

[Rin]

Chicks are getting older. I have a pair of pullet EErs(They said Americaunas but I doubt it so will call them EErs) that are a week older than the five unsexed bantam D'uccles. My question is, there is no heat element in the coop (it's usually too hot for it here) it's still winter though, during the days it's about 60-50 out and at night it's in the 40s. They are feathering out nicely (one even has almost all her breast feathers in already) and I wasn't going to even begin to start introducing them until next Thursday when they reach the 4 week mark. BUT, when should they be able to handle 40F? It's warming up again next week but I want to be sure they'll be fine. The coop itself actually feels quite warm to me and it is appropriately sized for all chickens when they are full grown. But, it will be just the two to go out on their own to start and I'm not sure they can handle it and furthermore - I'm not entirely familiar with bantams with regard to this especially due to their size they strike me as more likely to get too cold faster even if this particular breed has feathers all over their legs too.

What do you think?

Pictures!

Focus on tha babies

Focus on EEr

 

[silkydragon]

if its warm out mine usually move to an outdoor/temp run for a few weeks as soon as they get fully feathered

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Well depending on where you are. I'm in AZ mine go out as soon as they are feathered out about the age yours are now. BUT (there's always a but) I have an igloo dog house with a lamp hanging inside with a 100 watt bulb in it. They do just fine. I actually bought the wiring harness at walmart for 6.87. I pull the wire up through the vent hole, and I can raise & lower the light. I have a queen size sheet hanging over the door for them, and it's cocked to the side a little so only they can get in and not a whole lot of cold air. I put ours out at about 3 to 4 weeks usually in the summer. Right now we're waiting a tad longer.

 

[Rin]

Hmm thank you both that sounds good to me and if its not too obvious the temp for the babies has gotten too warm for the older birds who roost away from them - which is why I'm starting to consider the time is getting close. Technically I COULD get a heat lamp to them out there but the babies are using it right now and the way the coop is the roost high up towards the center around where the vents are so they can see out while they roost. I could throw a cover over this?

better piccy of my two big girls;

 

[Rin]

Ahahaha, yep, about time for them to go out. One of them just crash landed into the back of my head. D: I think shes really testing me to see if i'm a threat or not. Most of her life she decided yes but after about a week the banties decided no I wasn't and now she's constantly getting more and more in my space. Full body flopping against the back of my skull is about as testing as you get. XD