Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[Jonathan G]

I have two chicks which are now 6 weeks old. They are doing well on chick crumbs and being kept warm at night using a 25w bulb. How old should they be before they will be warm enough to go in the garden in thier Eglu and when should I introduce them to other foods? I have 5 other much older chickens but have never had chicks before.

[sjp]

you can start to introduce them to other foods now and start to move them onto growers feed to.

they need to be well feathered and off heat completly before they go out side.my first batch this year were off heat by about 6 weeks old they made that move themselves by not using the electric hen and were outside by about 8 weeks old I put them out a couple of time in the day and brought them in at night.that was in late March

[Jonathan G]

Thanks for the reply. Started putting them outside in a secure pen for a few hours each day this week so am not too far off. Will leave off light at night as they are well feathered - hopefully it will stay warm for a while longer.

[bostock422]

As a rule of thumb they shouldn't go outside before they are fully feathered which is about 6 weeks, and you can start them on rearers pellets about that time if you want to.