Chicken bald back

[ZoPekin]

Hi,

 

I have 5 pekin bantam chicks and was wondering if they can go outside in the day to start getting use to being out... Its sunny today but still cold but thought it might be good for them to have a run about in the garden....

 

Do you think they would be ok or should i wait a little longer? Also i have been told they can live outside by 8 weeks do you think this is right?

 

Thanks xx

[sjp]

I'd keep them inside a while longer also they need to be off heat and fully feathered up before they go outside 8 weeks is ok in the summer when it's warm and dry personally I kept mine in until they were 10 weeks this time of year. I try not to hatch indoors now I much prefer using a broody I find the growers are much more confident around the older birds

[chuckmum6]

I would agree, unless they have a mummy hen to keep them warm. Mine are taken out on day one by their mum's, but snuggle underneath when they get cool. I only hatch mine in the 'summer', so still pretty cold and wet!