When to let the newbies out of the basement?!

[ADozenGirlz]

I have two sets of new chicklets (4 week old BR/EEs) and 4 month old bantam Cochin Frizzles. I live in Connecticut where the weather hasn't gotten much above 60 during the day and drops into the low 30s at night still. I'm not sure when to let the little ones out into the coop with my big Girlz. What do you do with your new additions? Our coop is heated with a 250watt red bulb at night, but when it gets into the 30s at night, I don't think the coop gets up much more than 40 or so.

Thanks for your two cents on the matter!

 

[happyhensny]

We do not typically let them out until they are close to the same size as the adults - that way they can fend for themselves if anyone decides to be mean.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
That worries me and I'll tell you why: our Frizzles are bantams and I've been putting them outside next to the regular coop in a little pen for the past week just to let them get acquainted with each other. On the two occasions that I let both the existing group and the newbies out to free-range together, our otherwise friendly rooster kept pecking at the Frizzles (two of the three) and I had to call the game off for the day. So, the Frizzles will never be the same size as the other birds, they'll always be smaller and I worry about them getting bullied. That aside, what do you think about the temperatures?