Topic: chicks

[demelzah]

what age can chicks go outside?

[cornykev]

Mines not going outside until she's sixteen,  ;) shes not too happy about it, Muuumm tell him.  ;D ;D ;D

[RW]

I leave the run entrance from the coop open all the time and mother hen takes them outside when ready - usually after 4-6 days.

[demelzah]

thank you for the reply, they are not with a hen i bought them at an auction. they are at least 7 weeks will they be ok outside now?

[RW]

They should be fine and will enjoy the good weather just now.

[goodlife]

I would say yes, they can go now. Are you going to free range them or keep them in pen? If they are going to run around free then you perharps have to start when you are around yourself..just for few first times. As they are young and light, if scared they can quite easily fly/take off over 6 ft fence.
When you let them out..just open the door and walk away quietly..let them come out if and when they are ready. They may not wonder very far at first, but they will build confidence and will be here and there very soon. ;D

[jonny211]

When they're fully feathered mine went outside, about six weeks or so. If it was raining I kept them in though as I didn't know how they'd cope with getting wet when young.

[gillian62]

The only thing I would be careful of, is if you already have chickens.  You may need to keep an eye on the chicks so they aren't bullied.