The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: AnnaB on August 23, 2012, 05:42:59 pm

Title: Chicks outside
Post by: AnnaB on August 23, 2012, 05:42:59 pm

I have 8 chicks the youngest is 1 week and the oldest almost 3 weeks.  I have a broody plate (25W) and at the moment they are inside in a spare bedroom.

I'm quite keen to get them outside and have a new hen house.

So, can I run a cable out to the house put the chicks and broody plate out there (semi-rural Northumberland) or must they stay inside ?

Don't want to freeze them after my efforts to hatch them.

Thanks

Anna

Title: Re: Chicks outside
Post by: Greenmoor on August 23, 2012, 05:45:03 pm

I have no experience of broody plates, but our chicks have always gone from the incubator to outside, either with a heat lamp or the old paraffin brooder  :)

Title: Re: Chicks outside
Post by: WarescotFarm on August 23, 2012, 07:07:05 pm

I have only done it 3 times but I have had success sending them outside full time at 2 weeks old.

They are in for a week under a lamp, then if it is warm, outside for a week during the day and in at night but no lamp.

Then after at 2 weeks I have put a fish tank with sawdust inside, covered in a towel inside the sleeping compartment of a rabbit hutch. It stays warm in there as not in contact with the cold outside, it is insulated and they are on a thick bed of sawdust.

Means I have had them out full time at 2 weeks old. Only this time of year though as it is staying about 14 degrees ish at night.

Good luck!

Title: Re: Chicks outside
Post by: chrismahon on August 23, 2012, 08:08:12 pm

Ours don't go out until 6 weeks and then only during the day. 8 weeks full time. Your broody plate will be far too small I think AnnaB and they are too young. They are also at risk from even small rats which can get through chicken wire -we use 12mm weldmesh. Appreciate the dust will be becoming a problem but putting them out too soon with the weather now turning colder will probably kill them.

Title: Re: Chicks outside
Post by: HelenVF on August 23, 2012, 08:27:11 pm

We put ours out at about 2-3 weeks old.  We have a broody coop with a Brinsea brooder in.  Not lost one to the cold yet.  If it was absolutely freezing, we would bring them back in but haven't had to yet.

Helen

Title: Re: Chicks outside
Post by: Beewyched on August 23, 2012, 08:32:59 pm

I would be inclined to wait until they're 4-6 weeks this time of year (if it wasn't  :raining:  &  :gloomy:  ), depending on what breed your chicks are.
Like ChrisM said - watch out for rats.

Title: Re: Chicks outside
Post by: Greenmoor on August 23, 2012, 08:35:43 pm

Quote from: Greenmoor on August 23, 2012, 05:45:03 pm

I have no experience of broody plates, but our chicks have always gone from the incubator to outside, either with a heat lamp or the old paraffin brooder  :)

Just to clarify, when I say 'outside', I mean inside a cabin.  We've never lost one either.