When to move "cold hardy" chicks outdoors

[Isamama]

I have two Buff Orpingtons and two Jersey Giants, 6 weeks old and almost completely feathered out. Southern Michigan nights are getting down into the 40s and 50s now. TSC said they were caring specifically "cold hardy" breeds this late so they'd be able to handle moving out in the fall. They've gone about a week without the heat lamp, in the brooder in the basement. Probably between 65-70 degrees at night down there.
Originally planned hooking up a heat lamp out in the coop. After further investigation, heat source outside in the coop is not an option. I've got four full grown hens in the coop already.

Any suggestions about how to do this? I've always raised chicks in the spring so it would be warmer when it was time for them to go out.

 

[Spartan22]

Normally after 10-12 wks they can be out without heat on 40s-50s, I actually wean my chicks off heat source between 6-8 wks.

 

[red horse ranch]

I've read that at 6 weeks old a chicken can take any temperature that an adult chicken can. I usually have a small heat lamp for them until 8 weeks or so if it's really cold out but I have electric to my coops. Since that is not an option for you is there a way you could section off a small part of the coop where your adults are? Start by just taking your chicks out to the coop to spend the day at first and after a few days or so you can just leave them there at night.
It's possible that your adult hens will harass the little ones and they need a safe space to be able to get away from the adults.

 

[ChickenLover741]

As soon as my chicks were all feathered out, I moved them outside with the other hens. I live in northern Maine, and the nights were generally low 40s at the time. They should be fine as long as they're out of the elements!

 

[Isamama]

Normally after 10-12 wks they can be out without heat on 40s-50s, I actually wean my chicks off heat source between 6-8 wks.

My concern is that in another month it could be down to 20s-30s at night. Would it be better to move them now so they can ease into it?

 

[Isamama]

I've read that at 6 weeks old a chicken can take any temperature that an adult chicken can. I usually have a small heat lamp for them until 8 weeks or so if it's really cold out but I have electric to my coops. Since that is not an option for you is there a way you could section off a small part of the coop where your adults are? Start by just taking your chicks out to the coop to spend the day at first and after a few days or so you can just leave them there at night.
It's possible that your adult hens will harass the little ones and they need a safe space to be able to get away from the adults.

Yes, I'm planning on keeping them separated for some time, until they're larger for sure! My main concern right now is just temperature, and work on the social integration later.

 

[Chicken Chat]

As the others have said, it should be fine to leave them in the coop during the day when it's not so chilly so they can start getting used to everything. I would wait till they are fully feathered to leave them out in the coop all night. Once those feathers come in fully they should be fine. It's not freezing temps yet so should be an easier transition.

 

[lazy gardener]

How big is your coop? Your run? Temp wise, they would have been fine to move out at 4 - 5 weeks, if you have weaned them properly. The biggest issue is the 4 older birds, and integration. @azygous is the queen of early integration. I believe she has an article attached to her signature. I would set them up with a no touch area in the coop and give them a huddle box. They don't need the huddle box at this point for heat... unless they haven't been hardened off. But, they will appreciate it for security. You can do a thread search for more info on HB. You could start by giving them a huddle box in their basement brooder if it is big enough. Then move them to the coop with the huddle box.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

My girls were out at 5 weeks when night temps were in 40s & even high 30s

Definitely better to set them out now so they can get acclimated before it goes down to freezing.

 

[Isamama]

How big is your coop? Your run? Temp wise, they would have been fine to move out at 4 - 5 weeks, if you have weaned them properly. The biggest issue is the 4 older birds, and integration. @azygous is the queen of early integration. I believe she has an article attached to her signature. I would set them up with a no touch area in the coop and give them a huddle box. They don't need the huddle box at this point for heat... unless they haven't been hardened off. But, they will appreciate it for security. You can do a thread search for more info on HB. You could start by giving them a huddle box in their basement brooder if it is big enough. Then move them to the coop with the huddle box.

Thanks for all the further info!! I appreciate the wisdom of others!