When to put mine chicks outside in Indiana

[bluelucky]

I was wondering when it would be a good time to put my 2 week old chicks outside? I live in Indianapolis and the nights are in the upper 40's to 60 right now.. I just think they would be happier outside rather than in a 2" wide x 4 " long box.. Any opinion is helpful..

 

[Fierlin1182]

2 weeks old is a little young to put them outside without heat, however if you're going to have a lamp in the coop for them, then go for it.
For your temps, I'd say wait till the chicks are 5 weeks old to go "heatless".

 

[bluelucky]

It got up to 87 degrees here in Indianapolis yesterday so I introduced the girls to there new run and coop.. They had a good time for a couple hours and will probably go back out today with temps about the same..

 

[highpointfarm]

Sounds great=] I ALWAYS put my chicks out at 14 days old with a heat lamp... Having a COLD side(like literally 50 degrees) and a warm side (under the lamp) Has produced the healthiest chicks so far.. They are fully feathered in by 4 weeks old wheras when I keep them inside untill 6 weeks, they are feathered in by 6 weeks...

 

[bluelucky]

Sounds great=] I ALWAYS put my chicks out at 14 days old with a heat lamp... Having a COLD side(like literally 50 degrees) and a warm side (under the lamp) Has produced the healthiest chicks so far.. They are fully feathered in by 4 weeks old wheras when I keep them inside untill 6 weeks, they are feathered in by 6 weeks...

Thanks for the helpful info.. My dad and I have been arguing about when to put them outside..I say now he says 2 weeks.. They I feel don't have enough room in the water heater box they are in now.. Outside they go today since it will be around 85 again..

 

[Nsampsel]

I am in Ohio...very similar weather here. I have had chicks outside for over a month now...some going out at 2-3 weeks old...with no heat in my coop. It has dropped into the 20's since they went out & all are fine. I just closed the coop door at night until the temps were staying around 50's at night. Put 7 chicks ranging from 2-5 weeks & 4 ducks at 2 weeks out together last night, closed up the coop door since it was their first night & all were happy & healthy when I opened the door at 7:30 this morning.

I usually put my chicks out 6-10 at a time when possible so they can huddle together if they need to for warmth. As long as they are feathered mostly on breast & wings they will be fine. I've also found my chicks feather faster at lower temps, so other than the first few days/nights of watching temps closely, I drop temps pretty quickly. All have done fabulously. Only lost 2 bantums right in the beginning due to ducks getting them wet. Once I separated ducks from smaller chicks I haven't had any more problems.