[Andt]

I have 6 white leghorns that are around 8/9 weeks old, they are currently in an unheated shed in my garden. At my allotment I have a run and an empty coop ready for them but was wondering if they are now old enough to go outside in all weathers.

After the time and effort that I have put in to these birds (raised from a week old) I do not want to put them out too early and make them sick or worse.
With all the experience on this forum I know I'll get good advice.

Thanks in advance.

[Beewyched]

Hiya  Andt 

watching your post with interest myself - I managed to hatch 3 chicks nearly 2 weeks ago.  My 1st attempt with an Ebay bargain incubator     The chicks are Hybrid brown hen X Orpington Heinz cockeral (he was free from a neighbour).  I have them indoors still & just started switching off the heat lamp during the day.  Like you I don't want to have any accidents !!!

[doganjo]

I think the main thing is for the coop to be readily accessible for them and to be draught free, with plenty of warm bedding material inside for them to snuggle down into.  Can't see a problem if you make sure they are shut in if it is wet.  Wet, cold and wind are what goes for most youngsters of any species.

[john2708]

i have had 3 batchs of eggs hat this year two sets of silkies and one set of sultans after 4 weeks my last batch when out to my grow out run and joined some of the older chicks so far so good i noticed that the have feathered up quicker than the ones i have in side at the same age all so seem bigger as stated above wet, cold and wind is what gets them

[benkt]

How are their feathers coming on? I'm usually happy to let our chicks out (if not raining) once they have a full covering of adult feathers - there are often a few bald patches that take a week or two to cover even after most of them are out.

[Beewyched]

Yep, that makes sense - wait until they get their proper feathering  We're going to put together a "nursery" in the orchard, which is fairly sheltered & gets most of the sun.  The adult chooks often go round there hunting for spillages from the wild bird feeders, so they can all "get to know each other" safely too.

Got another 7 in the incubator too 

[sam.t]

i have last weekend put what left of my first hatch out side off heat and they doing very well 4 silkies they are 6 weeks old
sam

[Brahma girl]

Hi, just put mine out this week, but giving them heat over night when the temp drops also we have had a few frosty morning so not letting them out to late morning. Do make sure they are fully featherd. Good luck.

[Andt]

Thanks all for your comments, they are very helpful.

They are fully feathered and very lively, may look at moving them this weekend and just leave them locked up if it rains.
I will make sure that they have plenty of straw as bedding, they currently all huddle together at night anyway so would hope they'd be warm enough.

Cheers

And

[doganjo]

currently all huddle together at night anyway so would hope they'd be warm enough.

Cheers

You've to watch huddling though, Andy - they can sometimes suffocate one of their number.  Best make sure they are warm