When to move chicks from inside brooder to outside house

[sunlitmoonlight]

Hi all, I have 4x 4 week old bantams (2 silkies, 2 pekins). They currently live in a large brooder box (74cm x 116cm x 36cm which includes a seperate section for the heat lamp) inside our house (heat lamp at +/- 70 at night), and outside in their own little run (with shelter from wind and rain) during the day. When do you suggest I can move them outside into the main chicken house at night. I do have a section inside the house which is seperated by wire where I can put them into at night, until the rest of the flock have accepted them. I have 4 silkie hens and a pekin rooster. Thanks.

 

[gamebirdsonly]

Depends how cold it is at night and if they are fully feathered. Depending on temps 6 to 8 weeks old

 

[Blue_Myst]

Quote:
X2!

It all depends upon your climate. At 4 weeks it might be a little early. They usually are more fully feathered at 6-8 weeks, and considering they are silkies, I'd be extra careful. I know it varies a lot, but my "ideal" time to put new chickens outside is 6 weeks old, on a week where the max temperature is no more than 70-80 F, and the night time temperature is not under 45 F.

You could try them without the heat lamp for a night, and see how they do. I know with mine that if they can go two nights without a heatlamp in my basement, then they are ready to go outside.

Best of luck with them! You have a really nice setup--they'll do great.