When to put chicks out side??

[Old Trooper]

These things are good to know. My last batch (several years ago) I would take them out after about 8 weeks for a little at a time. Like an hour and put them in the sun. Backyard the time they were fully feathered outdoors even in cold temperatures they were fine.

 

[ElaynasChick]

These things are good to know. My last batch (several years ago) I would take them out after about 8 weeks for a little at a time. Like an hour and put them in the sun. Backyard the time they were fully feathered outdoors even in cold temperatures they were fine.

okay. so if i slowly acclimate them to the out side temps they should be fine.

 

[doublecrossranch]

My chicks are 4 and 5 weeks old. I have been letting them outside in a play yard for 2 weeks weather permitting. I have a section on chain link fence and plastic to go on top to keep them in and rain out. For the first week and a half I had a heat plate inside a cardboard box if they got to cold. But my puppy unplugged it. lol

 

[Old Trooper]

That's how I did it. If it was warm (+65) or so I would move the tub outside in the sun. I'd watch them and they seemed to be good. This was at six weeks..added a little at a time and by the time they were fully feathered they had no problem outside.

 

[David61]

I put the heat lamp in up on the roost for the first week. Not for the heat as much for a night light. You have to teach them everything new. They know the heat lamp. They would be on the ground huddled together after dark. Flip the heat lamp on and put one on the roost and the other moved up. Next night just turned it on after dark and they got off the ground and moved up on the roost. Like little kids they would get down and mess around at night but for the most part they went to bed. After a few days i just turned it on a few minutes until they got on the roost and lights out. By a weeks time they were all on the roost by dark and i took the lamp down. They were acclimated to outside as well by that time.

 

[doublecrossranch]

I put the heat lamp in up on the roost for the first week. Not for the heat as much for a night light. You have to teach them everything new. They know the heat lamp. They would be on the ground huddled together after dark. Flip the heat lamp on and put one on the roost and the other moved up. Next night just turned it on after dark and they got off the ground and moved up on the roost. Like little kids they would get down and mess around at night but for the most part they went to bed. After a few days i just turned it on a few minutes until they got on the roost and lights out. By a weeks time they were all on the roost by dark and i took the lamp down. They were acclimated to outside as well by that time.

How old were they when you started this?

 

[David61]

Five weeks
90° day 70° at night

 

[Old Trooper]

Yesterday (Sunday) I took the chicks outside just to introduce them to real sunlight. I had a converted plastic playpen that I unfolded and set them in. It was about 80 and sunny. I put their waterer and feeder in and sat back to watch the show. They did fine. Ran around it a little bit and pecked at the grass and drank and ate. They never acted chilled but I stayed with them anyway. After about 30 minutes we gathered up and went back to their tub.I figured this might help introduce them to outdoors and all the sounds out there.

 

[azygous]

Are there adult chickens or is this the start of your flock? If there are no adult chickens that need factoring into the equation, there is no reason why you can't brood right in your coop from the beginning. That way, the chicks become acclimatized to your local outdoor temps as they mature.

Here is how I do it and the reasoning behind it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

 

[Morrigan]

Are there adult chickens or is this the start of your flock? If there are no adult chickens that need factoring into the equation, there is no reason why you can't brood right in your coop from the beginning. That way, the chicks become acclimatized to your local outdoor temps as they mature.

Here is how I do it and the reasoning behind it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/

I loved your article. What a fabulous set up you have.