Chicken boarders

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

How would you get chicks used to living outdoors this time of year? What would be good steps to follow? TIA

[Egluntyne]

You don't say how old they are and whether they are still under the brooder. If the are, (and are at a suitable age) wean them off it first, and get them used to being in an unheated room.

 

If they are already at that stage, put them out during the day in a sheltered and covered run for a week or so, and then bite the bullet and leave them out at night. The weather can take sudden turns for the cold, so be cautious, and it might be worth getting a **Snugglesafe**.

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

They're off the lamp, they're 6 weeks old now. I do have an empty coop with a covered run attached, shall I start popping them out?

[Egluntyne]

Depends what your weather is like really. If it is reasonable, I'd go for it.

[Jools]

They're off the lamp, they're 6 weeks old now. I do have an empty coop with a covered run attached, shall I start popping them out?

 

I'd have started yesterday while the sun was shining - sorry!! If it's as horrible where you are as it is here, I'd be cautious still. Do you have a half-way-house option so they can acclimatise?

[Jeanette]

Somthing i always do so that the chicks always have access to some sort of heat when there out side is to get hold of a small plant propergator, put some chippings in it and i place it in the omlet without the roosting bars. I have found that they love to nestle on it. I paid £14.00 for mine 3 years ago and have hatched approx 20 batches using it as a in-between stage. It is very hard to judge this at this time of year. hope all goes well.

[MammaT]

Jeanette what a fab idea about the plant propagator. I will be having the same problems as Blue Diamond Chick as I have three 2wk old RIR chicks. All looking very strong and happy and under a low heat in a crate. They will need moving on to something bigger soon so I'm planning to bring my brooder and run indoors - that's the dining room gone - as I can't take any chances with the weather.

 

We did discuss all these options before I bought the chicks so hubby knows and agreed to what's involved. I figure it was my choice to get them so late in the season and so I just have to do whatever's necessary to get them through the winter.

 

If they get too much in the house then I'll have to resort to clearing out my summerhouse and popping them in the broody pen in there. I can heat that if the weather's really bad. I must say we're all so excited to have them even thought they're already turning us upside-down!

[ChrisEllis]

You should keep them inside and put them out for longer and longer each day...id say for about a week then they are ready...start off one hour. then a few hours. then a whole day and then after a week let them kip outside during the night.

Best to introduce them slowly

[TAJ]

Mine went out at 6 weeks (last week), but they were in a shed and had been off heat by day and were always trying to avoid the heat lamp. I do it very slowly and put a light in for the first few nights until about 10 pm, so it is not too long a dark night for them.

 

Mine love being out, but you do need to watch them closely and enure they are warm - again numbers make a difference - the more of them the more they keep each other warm. Also make sure they are fully feathered up before they are going out.

 

Tracy