winter chicks questions

[apc]

Expect to have chicks hatch in mid january..how long do they need to stay in the house? Aprox. when can they go outside? How do i keep them warm when they do go outside...still the standard box and heat light? Any tips for me would be great...i havent incubated in years..and never in the winter.

 

[Happy Chooks]

When they are fully feathered. Mine went outside with a heat lamp at 6 weeks. We then got a really cold storm with a foot of snow and 3 days of 14 degree nights. They did fine. They are 8 weeks old now and I just have a 75 watt bulb for them now. They don't really need it, so I'm going to start taking it away.

Now if you are planning on putting them in a coop with other chickens, that's another matter. It will take longer. Mine are in a little coop separate from the older girls probably for another month. They can see each other but not touch.