This
is always the big question, “When can I move these chicks out of my house???” For
us the weather is right and if they are of age, let’s get them out into the
coop. My first warning is, make sure your coop and run is predator proof, or at
least the best you can to make it. It is so sad to raise these chicks up for
6 weeks or more and something eats them. But it
could happen. Here are two good articles I found helpful. Moving Your Chicks Outside
https://www.southernstates.com/articles/moving-chicks-outside.aspx
If you're raising chicks, you're probably wondering when you can
move them from the brooder box to their permanent home outside. Your local
climate and availability of outdoor heating should influence your decision, but
the most basic rule of thumb is that your chicks need to be fully feathered
before you put them outside full time without supplemental heat.
Chickens of different breeds get their full feathers at
different stages, so research your breed to determine when you should expect to
be able to move them outdoors permanently.
Moving Out: A Gradual
Approach
Some people use a graduated approach to moving their chicks
outside. When your indoor chicks no longer need a heat lamp, move the brooder
to a colder part of your house. During warm days, chickens that have most of
their feathers (sometime between 2 and 4 weeks old) can spend the afternoon
outside and return to the brooder at night. Try the indoor/outdoor routine for
several days in a row to get your chicks used to being outdoors.
If the chicks show signs of distress by huddling together or
cheeping loudly and persistently, they may be too cold and should be brought
back inside or provided a heat lamp. Depending on the breed, chickens will have
all of their feathers sometime after 4 to 5 weeks old and will be ready to be
outside full time without a heat source.
Moving Out: A Faster
Method
Another approach is to harden off your chicks more quickly by
putting them out early without any transition period, usually after two weeks
in the brooder. If your chicks show signs of distress, bring them back inside
or provide them with an outdoor heat source.
Whether your approach is gradual or quick, have your chickens'
outdoor space ready for them. Make sure their feeder and water source are set
up and functioning correctly and that their coop is elevated 6 to 12 inches off
the ground. If you are going to have a run for them, make sure it is attached
and secured.
Once Outside: Finding
Home
When you are ready to move your chickens outside full time,
teach them where "home" is by keeping them in their coop for three to
four days. Even if your birds are always in an enclosed area, training them to
go into the coop at night will be helpful predation prevention.
http://www.scoopfromthecoop.com/are-your-chicks-ready-to-leave-the-brooder/
Are your chicks ready to leave the brooder?
These
pullets are experiencing their first day out of the brooder.
Don’t they grow up fast? It seems
like only yesterday you brought home those peeping, fuzzy little balls of
cuteness… but you need to get ready for your birds to hit their “teenager”
stage. Just like a teenager that has their learner’s permit, your birds may be
sorely tempted to try out those new feathers they are working on
growing by attempting to take flight. Let’s face it – you’re brooder won’t
hold them forever and it’s time to form a plan around how and when
to introduce them to the great outdoors! So, how do you know when
your chicks are ready for the big step of moving to the coop and run?
1.
Chicks will be
mostly fully feathered – At 5 to 6
weeks your fluffy chicks will start to resemble adult birds by growing out
pinfeathers. These adult feathers will help them regulate their body temps
better than fluffy chick down. Having a majority of their feathers is essential
for birds who are headed outside.
2.
Chicks have
been acclimated – Although they start off at 90 –
95 degrees in the brooder the first week of life, you need to decrease this temperature
each week until the temperature inside the brooder is
somewhat close to what daytime temps will be outside. For example, if your
birds are in the brooder at six weeks old, your brooder temp should be
around 60 – 65 degrees. For the first few weeks (and especially if
outdoor temperatures are fluctuating), you may want to bring the birds
back into the brooder at night or in bad weather to make sure they don’t
get too cold.
3.
Chicks have
been introduced to your existing flock –
nobody wants henhouse drama, and taking a few simple steps to introduce new
birds to old will save a great deal of time and potential injuries
from bullying and aggressiveness towards the newbies. At this point it is
important to remember if you have youngsters joining your existing flock that
everyone needs to be fed chick starter until the youngest bird is 16 weeks. The extra
calcium in regular layer feed can harm young chicks.
4.
Chicks are
ready to start on treats and grit –
it’s a great idea to get your birds used to eating treats (if you plan
to offer them) a few days prior to putting them outside. That way, you can
use the treats in case you need to lure the birds into a secure space at night.
Until they are used to thinking of the coop as “home base” they may need just
a bit of encouragement. Just remember, if you start feeding treats (offer
no more than 15% of the total diet) you also need to offer grit free choice
to aid in digestion.
