When to move to coop????

[rckirby]

Gotta wonder how chickens ever survived before electricity....

 

[junebuggena]

Before electricity, it was common for people to have a flock of chickens. People didn't have to buy chicks. The hens would sit and incubate the eggs and care for the chicks. Modern day hatcheries have done their best to breed broodiness out of their chickens.

 

[jstp]

I have 3-week-old chicks. The coop is ready and the run should be finished this weekend at which time they will be almost 4 weeks. Temp during the day can be between 60-90 (70's typical) and nights 50's. Ok to move them the be coop? I do have a heat lamp but not sure they need it. They are not fully feathered yet but very soon.

 

[Blooie]

Gotta wonder how chickens ever survived before electricity....

As I said on another thread where this was posted, kerosene brooder house heaters were very common.

 

[countrymomma008]

I was wondering its suppose to be 83° here today and the chicks will be 4 wks old tomorrow do u think it will be ok to leave them in their coop for a little but today?

 

[Blooie]

Absolutely! Get them out to enjoy and start exploring the world around them! The sooner they realize that there is more to life than a brooder, the happier, better adjusted chickens they'll be!

 

[countrymomma008]

Ok kool,I put water and food out for them,how long should I leave them out,the coop has a small covered run attached to it..

 

[Blooie]

They can be out most of the day if you have protection from predators and some shade in there for them. In Florida they could probably live out there all the time now, but I hesitate to tell people to do that because so many are still of that "keep them in the house under a heat lamp until they are 7 weeks old, fully feathered, or starting to lay eggs" mind set. Me? I tend to believe that if Mama Hen has them out running around in 20 degree weather at two days old, and they just run under her if they get spooked or for a quick warm-up, then who am I to change things? Mine are brooded outside in the run, in a pen within the run. That's been with temps in the teens and twenties, snow and wind. They thrive. All three batches have feathered quickly, matured quickly, and sleep the whole night through from day one, waking up in the morning raring to go! They've spent their babyhood learning to be chickens - I don't have to teach them a thing. But, as I said, that's me.

 

[countrymomma008]

Ok I live in kansas,ill keep them out there most of the day,they have protection from predators and lots of shade so I believe they will be ok.plus its suppose to get cool again and rain....so might as well make the most of today for them lol

 

[Blooie]

Ok I live in kansas,ill keep them out there most of the day,they have protection from predators and lots of shade so I believe they will be ok.plus its suppose to get cool again and rain....so might as well make the most of today for them lol

Doggone it, where did I get Florida? Must have been another post, and I apologize for the mix-up.