I moved them outside at 2 weeks. Yay or nay?

[GoldenGirlsChicks]

I got my baby chicks 2 weeks ago. We had them inside in a brooder box from tractor supply. They seem to grow quick and were really getting cramped in the box. Today we used our Great Dane’s old dog cage and put it outside. We wrapped it with tarp and put the brooder lamp inside and lined the bottom with pine shavings and put some tree limbs inside to entertain them. We live in central Texas. It’s been in the upper 70’s during the day and 50’s at nite. Will they be ok? Did I move them outside too soon?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Is this a wire dog kennel? Chicks are predator magnets and a wire dog cage and tarps will not keep a weasel or a raccoon's hands out.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Wow. So many different responses. It is a wire dog cage. I will take a pic or two and post them. I never thought about predators. Never seen any coons, not saying there are none. Only thing I’ve seen is a squirrel every now and then. But I’ve never been out all night when coons are usually out

Predators are one of the biggest things to consider when raising chickens and building their home. If you don't have them now they will come once you get chickens.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Not to mention they should still be in 85 degree heat right now at 2 weeks of age.

Temperature should not be a big issue since they have a heat lamp in there.

 

[KyCoop]

Well you broke the golden rule of don't get the chicks until the coop is done. People don't realize how fast they will outgrow their brooder.
Your behind the eight ball but you can catch up if you hurry.

 

[GoldenGirlsChicks]

Wow. So many different responses. It is a wire dog cage. I will take a pic or two and post them. I never thought about predators. Never seen any coons, not saying there are none. Only thing I’ve seen is a squirrel every now and then. But I’ve never been out all night when coons are usually out

 

[NatJ]

I think you should move the chicks back in. I usually move them out at 6 weeks. Maybe keep them inside in the dog kennel until you get or build a chicken coop.

A chicken coop would be a good idea.

But chicks can be brooded in an outdoor coop or pen from the very first day, if it provides what they need. In this case, I think predators are the only real concern, and they would kill 6-week chicks just as easily as 2-week chicks. So I don't see any reason to move them inside for a certain amount of time.

I would concentrate on providing a safe place at all times and all ages.

 

[GoldenGirlsChicks]

I checked on the Golden Girls. All happy chicks this morning. But I’m still going to TS today to get that warming plate. The heat lamp does make me nervous fire wise

 

[rosemarythyme]

They do but for 4 it’s not so bad. That’s only a 4x4 coop and 4x10 or 6x7 or similar size run. Not terrible size wise. And you can raise the coop up and put it inside the run to save room.

This is minimums of course. More space the better if you have the room for it.

Also for practicality, you have to consider how difficult it would be for you to access and maintain a very small coop or run. It probably sounds easier because "small" but the reality is you will need to do more frequent cleaning in a tighter set up, and it's also hard to get tools (and your body) in and out of a tighter set up.

 

[NatJ]

Will they be ok? Did I move them outside too soon?

Chicks do not really care whether they are inside your house or outdoors.

They need protection from the weather (like the tarps you put up), and protection from predators (I don't know if your dog kennel is good enough for that or not.)

They also need the right temperature, including a warm spot and some cool space. It sounds like your heat lamp is providing a warm spot, and if the dog kennel is big enough there should be enough cool space as well.

Of course chicks need food and water as well, but you have provided that.

That is basically everything chicks need. It sounds like your setup should be fine, except maybe if predators come visiting (as several other people have already said.)