What age can I move my new chicks out to the coop?

[Skyleen13]

I’ve got 10 new babies that are 5 weeks old now. I plan on putting them into a smaller coop with attached run once their ready. It’s attached to my 50 square foot run that my 13 hens & 2 roosters use. I’ve got 3 large coops that they can all share if they chose. I don’t plan on allowing my pullets out into the big run for at least a month after they’re out there so they can socialize with the adults. My question is at what age can I put them out there? The temp at night up here is still close to freezing & will probably stay that way for next few weeks. Is 8 weeks a good time or older?

 

[lilmillefleur]

Put them out in the run now, as long as they have a source of heat they will be okay. You'll be able to integrate them into the flock a few weeks after that. I recommend a chick-sized door after a week or 2 so they can explore the big birds' area but the older birds can't get in to the chicks

 

[rosemarythyme]

50 sq ft run for 15 adults and 10 chicks? Do you free range at all? I don't see how you're going to safely integrate chicks with that little space.

 

[TOR]

I put 6 4 weeks old chicks in the barn I have a old galvanized tub turned over with a brooder light fixture with a 60 watt light bulb on top and hole cut. I have a hole cut in the top. Entrance cut in side. straw stack around side of tub. Been freezing temps here at night.
My chicks have been going outside, stay away from bigger birds. The bigger birds don't mess with them.
The chicks are cross between brahma and australorp fairly hardy bird.
I put them outside 2 weeks ago.
Also my integration starts immediately. There is place the little birds can go and hide they get to scared.
I also free range.

 

[Skyleen13]

50 sq ft run for 15 adults and 10 chicks? Do you free range at all? I don't see how you're going to safely integrate chicks with that little space.

The run is 50ft wide by 40ft long. I’m bad at estimating square footage. Plus 2 runs that are 6 ft long by 4 ft wide that are directly connected to the coops.

 

[Skyleen13]

Put them out in the run now, as long as they have a source of heat they will be okay. You'll be able to integrate them into the flock a few weeks after that. I recommend a chick-sized door after a week or 2 so they can explore the big birds' area but the older birds can't get in to the chicks

I should’ve mentioned that I cant put a heat source out in the coop. Coop is at edge of property. Almost 300ft away from the house.

 

[TOR]

Its about 250 zq ft.
anyway if you can have a place for the chicks to be out of the weather and some type of heat they could go outside now.
Like I said i use a 60 watt bulb and provides some heat not alot, they are out of the wind , rain, and drafts. Also they free range during the day they just don't go far like the big chickens.
I do not care for heat lamps because I am afraid of fire in my barn with the straw and all.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I would not put them with adult birds till about 9 weeks. If you have a separate space with heat, that is fine.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The run is 50ft wide by 40ft long. I’m bad at estimating square footage. Plus 2 runs that are 6 ft long by 4 ft wide that are directly connected to the coops.

Ohhhh gotcha. That's so much better, whew - 2000 sq ft!

I actually integrate early (to take advantage of their tiny size, but you can only do that up to around 8 weeks or so), but since you can't run heat out there, you'll need to wait until chicks are fully off heat and acclimated to cooler temps, so just start with the see-but-no touch like you have planned, then play it by ear. Ideally you want the adults to lose interest in the chicks before you let them have physical access to each other. Use the time to clutter up the run, if you don't already have clutter, so the chicks have plenty of places to hide from adults. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Skyleen13]

Ohhhh gotcha. That's so much better, whew - 2000 sq ft!

I actually integrate early (to take advantage of their tiny size, but you can only do that up to around 8 weeks or so), but since you can't run heat out there, you'll need to wait until chicks are fully off heat and acclimated to cooler temps, so just start with the see-but-no touch like you have planned, then play it by ear. Ideally you want the adults to lose interest in the chicks before you let them have physical access to each other. Use the time to clutter up the run, if you don't already have clutter, so the chicks have plenty of places to hide from adults. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Gotcha. Thank you!.