When to go outside

[Charles Strader Jr]

i have 6 new Rhode Island reds that were hatched 15th of November. I have been keeping them inside under a lamp. How long should they stay inside?
I live in East Tennessee and its has been getting into the 20s and 30s at night. I plan on using the heat lamp outside when I bring them out. I been told about 2 months old. But I would like to get your all’s opinion

 

[Athena2344]

I would say at least 2 months old, you don't want them to freeze easily... Do you know how much they weigh?

 

[Latestarter]

The key element to look at for moving them outside is are they fully fledged. Without full feathers, it will be very difficult for them to maintain warmth. Generally speaking, your breed should be well feathered between 6-8 weeks of age. Start removing the heat source from them a bit more each week until they no longer have the heat lamp @ say 4 weeks inside (now basically). They will huddle together to maintain body warmth. This will start the acclimation process and help them. If you will be providing them a heat source outside, please be extremely careful as you do NOT want a fire and heat lamps are notorious for starting fires.

Please consider putting at least your general location in your profile. It's a very important aspect when asking for or giving recommendations or advice. It will save you from having to post it every time you ask a question.

 

[chickens really]

Provide the heat and as they feather out they will on their own get further and further away from it till it's no longer needed..I had mine set up with a sleeping area and the bedding and lamp in one area..Feed and water far off from the sleeping area..I had my Roosts up and during the day they would hop around on the roosts and at sleep time they cuddled together under the heated area...
Best of luck...

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

November 16th would have been ideal.... But it is what it is.. I would take the heat away now, cold turkey. They will manage in the house without it.n Open the windows in the room they are in now. Day trips outside regardless of temps every day NO HEAT in the coop The longer you take to get them off heat, well the longer it will take....

Gary

 

[junebuggena]

Once they are fully feathered and acclimated to outdoor temps. I usually have my chicks off heat and outside by 4 to 5 weeks old, even in the winter. Average temps range from 35 to 55, but I've had chicks outside during cold snaps that got down to 17* and they were fine.

 

[Athena2344]

With my heat lamps, I was able to rig paracord pulley systems, and everything was hanging, so I never had issues with fires. The pulley system was great too because I could lower or heighten the lamps according to the temps, and that would work great with you to acclimate them

 

[hobbyhomesteader]

I've got the same question as the OP. @Charles Strader Jr Mine were hatched Nov 15 and are completely off heat in our garage now (roughly 60 degrees at night) and nearly fully fledged. I would definitely recommend the gradual pushing for acclimation as others have suggested. They also spend some days outside already and temperatures have been 45-65 and they're active and seem fine - but nights I haven't kept them out either. Evening temps here (Sacramento, CA) have been around 37 and with the lamp I can keep the coop around 45-50 but like you I worry that isn't warm enough for still, sleeping chicks.

@junebuggena you say yours did well at 35-50. How many did you have to huddle together? Was that the outside temp or the temp inside your coop?

 

[junebuggena]

I've got the same question as the OP. Mine were hatched Nov 15 and are completely off heat in our garage now (roughly 60 degrees at night) and nearly fully fledged. They spend some days outside already and temperatures have been 45-65 but they're active and they seem fine - but nights I haven't kept them out. Evening temps here (Sacramento, CA) have been around 37 and with the lamp I can keep the coop around 45-50 but I worry that isn't warm enough for still, sleeping chicks. When should I take the plunge and leave them out? Wait a week?

@ Junebugenna you say yours did well at 35-50. How many did you have to huddle together? Was that the outside temp or the temp inside your coop?

I've had as few as three outside in 40 degree temps. The one time I've had chicks outside when temps dipped below freezing, there were 6 of them. As long as their coop can shield them from wind, they will be fine. Your chicks good to go outside full time.

 

[hobbyhomesteader]

I've had as few as three outside in 40 degree temps. The one time I've had chicks outside when temps dipped below freezing, there were 6 of them. As long as their coop can shield them from wind, they will be fine. Your chicks good to go outside full time.

Good to be reassured by someone more experienced. Thanks for the sage advice!!