When to put them outside?

[stargazingmommy]

We got them Easter weekend, they told us they were 2-3 wks old, both ducks and chicks. 3 chicks, 2 ducks.
The chicks are feathering nicely. Still a tiny bit of fuzz but not much. Ducks are just starting to get feathers, mostly still fuzzy with a few bald patches.
It's 37 degrees right now, pretty average for this time of year.
The coop is 4x4, about, and has a 250 wat heat lamp.
I'm ready to have these noisy stinky things out of my basement.
Until we get the duck run built they will be in the same run as the chicks. For now, they will probably be locked in the coop with the chickens at night(to keep them safe and warm).

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

I would think with a heat lamp they should do well. Mine are 3 weeks old and are outside and doing well, lowest temp they have seen is mid 40's.

 

[stargazingmommy]

Quote:
First time chicken mommy-I'm kinda worried about hurting them
I keep telling myself with the heat lamp and each other they will be fine...

 

[latebloomer]

this is very timely for me

mine will be four weeks old this coming weekend and they
need to get out of my house and onto the porch while
i get the coop going

but i love them and want them to be okay with the temperatures
it was in the fifties last night, but we have snow in the forecast for the weekend

ah, spring in vermont....

 

[Nicole01]

Mine are fully feathered and do not like the cold. I put them out yesterday for the first time when it was 60 degrees. I brought them in at 8pm when they were making a huge racket wanting to come in. I brought them in due to temps getting down in the 30's. They are 7 weeks old. I don't have an extra brooder lamp handy. I have more chicks growing.

. I tried putting them outside the other day when it was 40 degrees. They were so upset with me and made this awful noise for 45 minutes to an hour after I brought them in.

 

[RaZ]

Not sure if it helps but here goes...Got my chicks on March 25 and the ducks on April 17, each batch was on a couple of days old.
Both groups were put out in the insulated garage with heat lamps on 4-25 and allowed to run in the yard each day. They are put back in the brooders at night except recently the chicks keep jumping out so I've been letting them find their own roost for night.

Last night got down to the 40's but all were fine and ready to be let outside. (Today is the first sunny day we've had 'forever' & I guess they are as happy as I am)

 

[Heathero617]

I put my babies out 2 nights ago.. last night was on the cold side, i have them a super large heavy plastic barrel full of straw as housing until i get new boxes built, they are huddled in there this morning, but i think tonight is to be colder yet. I really dont want to bring them back in and I dont want to let them in with the big chickens while mama is sitting so tightly on her eggs so I may not have any other choice in the matter but to line the bathtub with paper and put them back in their small cage and bring them in for the night. They are about 5 or 6 weeks old...anyone have any suggestions on the temps they will be ok at?

 

[debid]

With the heat lamp, you could have put them out there when you first brought them home. It's fine. Really. People have brooded chicks in barns with a draft guard and hanging light for much longer than they've put them in plastic boxes in their house.

Mine are in a box outside right now with a 100W infrared hung pretty low and they looked very comfortable this morning when it was 43F. They ran over to take treats on the ambient air side of the box and were not in any great hurry to return to the light. The youngest is ~1.5 weeks, most are 2-4 weeks. I'll be moving them into the coop just as soon as it's finished (almost there!) with their lamp and while I'll miss having them right outside the window, I know they'll be happier having more space.

 

[Heathero617]

brought the babies in...i feel better with them inside for tonight

 

[latebloomer]

where are you guys?

there was snow forecast for last night
and the next few.

spring in new england, sure, but enough is enough