The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: plumseverywhere on April 27, 2014, 04:02:32 pm

Title: When to move chicks outdoors permanently.
Post by: plumseverywhere on April 27, 2014, 04:02:32 pm: Our pekin and Mille fleur chicks are now between 5 and 8 weeks of age. They have been sleeping indoors but going in a run during the day for 2 weeks and are feathering up nicely.
Today they have spent the day in our broody coop & run and have enjoyed the extra space.
What age woudl they be OK to sleep out in a strawfilled, secure coop ? Do they need to be brought back indoors for some time yet?
many thanks
Title: Re: When to move chicks outdoors permanently.
Post by: lord flynn on April 27, 2014, 07:31:37 pm: I stuck some 6 week olds out last week. I always run a cord out for an electric hen over night for a week or so but tbh, if there are a few of them, they only ever sit on it at that age. If they've been out during the day (mine hadn't) they should be fine I'd have thought.
Title: Re: When to move chicks outdoors permanently.
Post by: plumseverywhere on April 27, 2014, 07:34:08 pm: Thanks Lord Flynn, it seems quite mild so I'm going to bite the bullet. They all huddle on top of each other anyway so hopefully they'll feel ok.
Title: Re: When to move chicks outdoors permanently.
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 27, 2014, 07:36:50 pm: I usually have a first hatch of eggs from the incubator about now, they stay inside under an electric broody for 18 days then have heat at night only for 3 days then go into a coop inside a pole barn until well feathered up.
Title: Re: When to move chicks outdoors permanently.
Post by: Stereo on April 27, 2014, 07:42:52 pm: Just put our Marans out at 4 weeks in a house with run. No problems. They keep each other warm if they need to. Might be different earlier in the year. My broody just hatched some ixworths yesterday and the chicks have been out in the run all day running about, quite happy.

I suspect they are hardier than we think.
Title: Re: When to move chicks outdoors permanently.
Post by: lord flynn on April 27, 2014, 07:56:59 pm: broody hatched is different though, they have mum to sit in at night :) but generally I think chicks are quite hot, sweaty things that are much hardier than we think after the first couple of weeks anyway.
Title: Re: When to move chicks outdoors permanently.
Post by: plumseverywhere on April 28, 2014, 07:37:48 am: 5 Happy chicks just ran down their little ramp to greet me this morning! Thanks for all the advice last night, seems it was definitely the right time for them to move outdoors (and means I get the shelf in my bootroom back as I can oust the brooder!)