When to introduce...

[Blueyes132]

I have 4 week old babies. When can I put them outside with the rest of the 9 hens and 2 Roos? The temps here are high 50s during he day and 30s at night. They've been inside by the fireplace since birth with no heat lamp. They seems content with that arrangement .

 

[chickens really]

Do it now.......You will need a look no touch pen.........Introduce that way for a week or so.....If young Birds are still peeping wait till that stops......Then introduce while free ranging......


Cheers!

 

[Blueyes132]

Do they need a heater?

 

[Pork Pie]

Maybe a gradual acclimatisation to the outdoors would help them get used to the cooler temps. You can do this by putting them outdoors, in a separate pen, as CReally suggests, for increasing periods of time. If they huddle together and chirp, they are feeling cold, but if they are busy doing chick stuff, then they are fine.

Depending on your set up, it may be good to let them mingle with the flock once they are 7-8 weeks old - just so they can readily withstand a peck from an adult.