When to move chicks outside

[JaimeW]

We have 6 chicks - majority about 2-3 weeks old. I was wondering when it would be okay to move their brooder (with heat plate) outside? I am located outside of Albany NY and our temps get into low 30's at night still. Also, at what age is it good to start introducing them to our year old orphingtons and getting them into the coop?

 

[DobieLover]

We have 6 chicks - majority about 2-3 weeks old. I was wondering when it would be okay to move their brooder (with heat plate) outside? I am located outside of Albany NY and our temps get into low 30's at night still. Also, at what age is it good to start introducing them to our year old orphingtons and getting them into the coop?

Now.
I raised day old chicks outside in my built-in brooder with a heat plate with a towel over it. They experienced nights in the low 20s. They were fine.
If you can section off part of your coop with hardware cloth or chicken wire, I would brood them right in the coop so the hens can watch them grow and the chicks can watch them too.
When they are about 5 weeks old, you can fashion a door or two that is large enough for the chicks but too small for the hens in the partition between the brooder and the rest of the coop. Boot the hens out then let the chicks out to explore the coop for a few hours. Then let the hens in and sit and observe.
They will integrate pretty fast that way.
Do you have the chicks on medicated starter? What are you feeding the hens? The chicks should not get feed with high calcium content. You can feed Flock Raiser or All Flock with an oyster shell container or two for the hens near the feeder or anywhere in a high traffic zone.

 

[JaimeW]

Now.
I raised day old chicks outside in my built-in brooder with a heat plate with a towel over it. They experienced nights in the low 20s. They were fine.
If you can section off part of your coop with hardware cloth or chicken wire, I would brood them right in the coop so the hens can watch them grow and the chicks can watch them too.
When they are about 5 weeks old, you can fashion a door or two that is large enough for the chicks but too small for the hens in the partition between the brooder and the rest of the coop. Boot the hens out then let the chicks out to explore the coop for a few hours. Then let the hens in and sit and observe.
They will integrate pretty fast that way.
Do you have the chicks on medicated starter? What are you feeding the hens? The chicks should not get feed with high calcium content. You can feed Flock Raiser or All Flock with an oyster shell container or two for the hens near the feeder or anywhere in a high traffic zone.

We are using a medicated starter crumble and haven't given them any grit or treats. My hens eat a feed we buy from a local farmer who grows and makes everything on site so very fresh - they have been thriving on it with no issues as all. Since we are in NY it looks like spring is leaving for a bit and we are predicted to get 5-8" of snow today - go figure!!
We do have an outdoor dog pen fixed to the coop/run that I could put them in when old enough and that way they could all see each other but couldn't necessarily get to each other. Can turn their brooder into a coop for a bit. We are only keeping 2-3 of the new hens and have a neighbor who is taking the remaining ones. Have a limit in our area and don't want to overcrowd the coop. They are definitely feathering fast!

 

[thisjed]

My chicks are in the coop now and have been from day one. We're starting over, so no full grown hens walking around which makes things easier. I did put the heat lamp in the coop, but they have full reign of the coop which is 8' x 4'. We're 3 weeks in with no issues and it snowed 5" here last night, ugh, welcome to northern IL.

 

[JaimeW]

My chicks are in the coop now and have been from day one. We're starting over, so no full grown hens walking around which makes things easier. I did put the heat lamp in the coop, but they have full reign of the coop which is 8' x 4'. We're 3 weeks in with no issues and it snowed 5" here last night, ugh, welcome to northern IL.

Thanks for the info!!! I think they would be happier outside in the larger area - the brooder box we have them in is a giant Rubbermaid tote but with 6 chicks its tight The are constantly peeping but they aren't distressed peeps so I think they are just a little bored. we have sticks and roosts but I think the extra space would do them well. We just need to build a makeshift coop that can work until they are ready to go in with the big ladies

 

[Mamatomany123]

I have 3 week old chicks and they have already been moved outside. We are warm during the day (80° and above) but nights still get a little chilly. I have their heat source set up at night in case they need it. Theyve been outside for about 5 days and so far have been doing great. I do suggest introducing grit to them. We started ours on grit, even though they were only on chick starter. I wanted it to be available for when they felt they needed it.