When can "new chicks" go outside for good in winter?

[dalcombright]

So I am in Kingston, MA (North East US), weather this time a year go's between low 20s and low 40s. I received the following as new born chicks the last week of September/first week of October.

3 Polish Chicks
3 Brahma Chicks

They are now between 10-12 weeks. Assuming introductions go fine with the flock (last 2 times have gone well) can they officially go outside? They have been in my basement since Sept, under heat for the first few weeks and since early November no heat (my basement is probably 60 degrees). My coop is fully enclosed but not heated. The run is covered, again no heat though. Assuming they can go outside I would like to do it this week as it appears to be going into the low 40s the next few days. If I can't that is fine but I just need to know if these gals can go out safely or if not and I need them to be basement bound for the whole winter.

 

[dalcombright]

I am also open to a "transition" period as well, but not sure its needed. I was thinking storing them in my garage for a week or two as its maybe 5-10 degrees warmer than outside but obviously has 0 drafts/wind. Again, just not sure whats needed/not needed.

 

[Henry&Friends]

As soon as they are fully feathered they are ready to go out. If you can section off a part of the coop and run for them, they can live in there within view of the others but not be touched. Then they can just live out there. You’ll want to chase them into the coop once it starts getting dark, they get the hang of that after a week or two. I put a heat lamp (extra secured) in my coop this winter because my moms boss gave us chicks out of the blue. Winter isn’t a good time for getting chicks, so I try to keep a heat source for them when they’re let outside. The transition period might be helpful, although not necessary. I have one hen in my basement (chicken ER) and yesterday I cleaned up 6 days worth of her poop. It was terrible, so I don’t think you’ll want 6 pullets down there all winter to clean up after.

 

[oldhen2345]

They should be fine at 12 weeks as long as they have an enclosed area out of drafts and weather. I think the gold standard is they can go outside if they are fully feathered out. They huddle together for warmth. It has gotten to 28 degrees here and my pullets are doing fine out there. There are 3 grown hens and 3 pullets (one is in ICU in the house from a predator attack). They all stay in the coop on the roosts at night and roam around just fine during the day.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I'm going through the exact situation. I have four chicks inside perhaps a few weeks older than yours. It's supposed to get into the 40s this weekend so I'm going to try and transition them outside then. I'm going to turn on the sweeter heater in the coop too to help them adjust to the temperature change. Just be sure to keep a close eye on them for the first few weeks outside especially if there are drastic temperature drops.

 

[FortCluck]

I had 4 week old chicks in the coop last night and it was 19 degrees. They were perfectly warm and safe. I have 6 week old chicks outside too.

Once they're fully feathered they're fine. Not all chickens feather out at the same right.

 

[dalcombright]

As soon as they are fully feathered they are ready to go out. If you can section off a part of the coop and run for them, they can live in there within view of the others but not be touched. Then they can just live out there. You’ll want to chase them into the coop once it starts getting dark, they get the hang of that after a week or two. I put a heat lamp (extra secured) in my coop this winter because my moms boss gave us chicks out of the blue. Winter isn’t a good time for getting chicks, so I try to keep a heat source for them when they’re let outside. The transition period might be helpful, although not necessary. I have one hen in my basement (chicken ER) and yesterday I cleaned up 6 days worth of her poop. It was terrible, so I don’t think you’ll want 6 pullets down there all winter to clean up after.

Is heat needed though? If it is I will probably just endure them indoors because running 300' of extension cords for heat will be a pain in the butt haha. Also. the 12 out their now dont have heat. Again, fully enclosed coop and a 12x16 run that is covered. I also let them free range when I'm home and its not snowy.

 

[dalcombright]

I had 4 week old chicks in the coop last night and it was 19 degrees. They were perfectly warm and safe. I have 6 week old chicks outside too.

Once they're fully feathered they're fine. Not all chickens feather out at the same right.

No heat in your coop? I wont have any in mine.

 

[gtaus]

I have never had Polish or Brahma chicks, but in general chicks should be fully feathered out by about 5 weeks, so at 10 weeks I would expect they could handle your winter temps.

Having said that, this is my first winter with laying hens and I always am concerned when I see the temps drop to -22F like we have had a few nights these past few weeks. So far, my 8 month old hens are doing fine. I have read that the main issue is to have a nice draft free coop and that you have good ventilation above the heads of the chickens as they roost for the night. Chickens are not people, and they have ways to keep themselves warm that we humans just do not.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I don't know. There is a big difference between 20 degrees and 60 degrees. I would put some heat source out there for awhile, but that's just me.