When can chicks go outside for some sun?

[rachaelc]

My babies are various in age. I have 31. My oldest will be 2 days shy of six weeks this Saturday. It's suppose to be in the mid 70's here in Oregon this weekend. I was wonderin what you all thought about lettin the kids out in the secure yard? Age appropriate and all. Thanks!!

mother of all to 31 various peeps, 2 gouldian finches, cats, 1 cairn terrier,1 belgian mallinois, an amazing son and fabuloso dh not neccessarily in that order any time

You don't always have to believe everything you think.

 

[lisahaschickens]

Hi Rachael -

I am in Vancouver, WA so I'm a bit north of you. My babies started to go outside to free-range (with CLOSE supervision only - even still we've had a hawk attack) at four weeks old. They were allowed out in their very secure run (surround on top, bottom, and sides with concrete and 1/2 inch wire mesh) at about three weeks.

However, you can let them out right away after birth pretty much if the weather is OK. They would be outside with their mom (if they had one) pretty much right away for short periods of time and she would make sure they stayed warm enough. I have read that the earlier in life they get outside, the more they enjoy it and the better they are at foraging. If they are not allowed outside until they are adults, then they often prefer to stay inside rather than to free-range when given a choice.

You can definitely take yours outside this weekend or sooner. Mine are 9.5 weeks old now and have been out free-ranging pretty much everyday since 4 weeks, even in the cold wind and rain - they LOVE it and if they get too cold, they go back inside all on their own.

 

[rachaelc]

Thanks Lisa for the support and feedback!
I really enjoyed your website. I look forward to letting my peeps out this weekend. I love my little ameracauna girls and have also fallen for the light brahma babes and a little sqeaky partridge rock now named Ruby Jane for her incredible red brown color. I loved seeing your kids. I think I will have a wooster watio of at least 40% this year. Chicken pot pie, sunday dinner are few of the names I'm,thinkin of... Portland Nursury has great plants. I just picked up a gorgous table grape to arbor over the chicken coop at one end. I'll look forward to reading more about your cheeps and gardens. I am avid gardener too. Love nursury field trips in the spring and summer.
Thanks, Rachael

 

[lisahaschickens]

cool cool! Sounds like we have a lot in common! thanks for all the nice comments and enjoy your babies! Stay in touch and let me know how yours are doing!

 

[thebreakfastclub]

Thanks for the comments on when to let out the chicks. Mine are 4 weeks old now and we have an enclosed apple orchard with of course the enlosed run as well. It should hit 70F today and I was wondering if I could let them run around the yard for a bit? Are they hard to catch and round up to go back inside the coop?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
They can be. I've raised a couple of broods on the screened porch (I don't brood in the house). First week or so of them going outside we have to round them up at bedtime, the *evil broom* works well for this. After that they get to where they line up to go inside.