I start my chicks outside. I had them inside last year and the dust and dander, and the noise all night long, just about drove me to drink! This year they are all out in a pen within the run so they can see the Bigs and the Bigs can see them. I also use a heating pad draped over a frame, forming a nice dark cave for them. They are absolutely thriving!
With this batch of Littles, the plan was for them to be outside from the day we got them. But Ken ended up in the hospital so we didn't get the outside pen finished. They lived in the house for a week, but then they went out. I noticed when they were inside that the minute the lights in the house went out, they were under the cave and sound asleep - silently - and they slept until we got up in the morning. The day they went out was also the day we picked up another 4 chicks. The older ones were a week old and the new ones were 1 day old when they went outside to live. We've had no problems whatsoever. They are strong, healthy, happy and I don't have the mess and noise in the house.
With this batch of Littles, the plan was for them to be outside from the day we got them. But Ken ended up in the hospital so we didn't get the outside pen finished. They lived in the house for a week, but then they went out. I noticed when they were inside that the minute the lights in the house went out, they were under the cave and sound asleep - silently - and they slept until we got up in the morning. The day they went out was also the day we picked up another 4 chicks. The older ones were a week old and the new ones were 1 day old when they went outside to live. We've had no problems whatsoever. They are strong, healthy, happy and I don't have the mess and noise in the house.
