When to move chicks outside?

[pepsiokay]

Still feeling very nervous though ......

 

[celticgarden]

Still feeling very nervous though ......

How are things going?

 

[Allicoop]

Hi guys,
My baby chicks are just over a week old, all 22 of them, more hatched than I expected from my first hatch (from 26 eggs) so I felt my brooder was getting quite crowded. So as the weather here in Western Australia has been around 26-38 degrees 78.8-100.4 during the day and around 15 degrees 59f overnight, I moved them outside into their new home. The have my old guinea pig hutch and a little yard off it - fully enclosed. The have a red heat light in one end, fully protected and food and water in the other. Lined with shavings....

I tried to coax them out by sprinkling some of their food on the ground, but they didn't come out today, probably a new environment and cautious. They seem happy enough though, any thoughts on what you guys think?

 

[Quyen Le]

In your case, try something like 40w or 60w bulb. It's better for them. I usually take away heat lamp at 1-2 week old during summer here which has the same temp range like yours.

 

[Allicoop]

Thanks Quyen Le, I feel a bit relieved now, thought it might have been too early. Thanks for your advice.

 

[pepsiokay]

How are things going?

Really good thanks! They love it! They spend an hour or so a day scratching around and then the rest inside, they still huddle under the electric hen - but are thriving!

 

[Blair75214]

I have 2 chicks - Spitzhauben and silkie - both 6 weeks old. Today here in Dallas it is currently 55 degrees and very sunny (no clouds) and going to get up to 75. Is it warm enough to let them outside to peck around in the dirt? I'll be right there with them, just want to make sure it's warm enough! Thanks!