[kegs]

As it's nice and sunny at the moment (64 deg with a few clouds) is it too soon to put some chicks out in a covered hutch on grass that hatched on Saturday, 3 days ago?

[in the hills]

With a broody hen? 

[kegs]

No.  I incubated them so they are under a heat lamp at the moment and on chick crumb.  It's maybe still a bit chilly?

[in the hills]

Mmmmmm ....... I've never put my inccie chicks out at that age. I'm not sure but if they were mine I would wait until they were a bit older. Breezy up here, too and I don't think draughts would do them much good. Different when they have mum to cuddle under. Tis tempting I know.
 
Others may think differently. 

[FiB]

Ive been going by the 'rule' (there seem to be a nmber of versions of it though!!) of 35 degrees week one, then reduce by 3 degrees a week (by raising heat lamp) until its reached ambient.  So unless its 35 where you are, I wouldnt .  I've also got something in my mind about them being feathered before they go out (about 3-4 weeks?) - I'd think they would be a lot more able to withstand fluctuations then? Nice to be having enough sunshine to be thinking about this though isnt it!

[darkbrowneggs]

I reckon they can come off heat and go outside at 4 to 5 weeks old if the weather is dry and hottish.  Though if it was exceedingly hot and dry I might risk it in the day at around 4 weeks.
 
If chicks are chilled they are much more likely to suffer from illnesses later in life (assuming they survive) 

[Fowlman]

Way too young to be outside without a broody i'm afraid. 3/4 weeks old they will be ok on dry days but not at night.

[kegs]

Thanks all.  Ok I will keep them in until they feather up. 

Just to clarify though, I did only mean could they have 1/2 hour in the sunshine as opposed to moving them outside permanently.

[Sylvia]

Truly, they are better off where they are. 

[Big Light]

If you put them out early growth rates slow as they are putting energy into feathers and keeping warm rather than growing

[chrismahon]

Longer they are kept in under controlled conditions the stronger they will be Kegs. Coccidiosis is at it's highest risk under 6 weeks.

[Pundyburn Lynn]

I spotted my 3x 10 day olds basking outside this afternoon alongside their light Sussex mother.  I say 'alongside' because she is not the most attentive, and the chicks tend to snuggle in with a hurpling brown hybrid in the hospital coop.  Just as well she's there!


Lynn