Debbie1962 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 So my babies are now just over 6 weeks old and wondered when they could stay outside permanently. I know it's turning colder but there's not much room in the brooder now and they are needing there space. They look nearly fully feathered to my untrained eye lol. Tia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 6 weeks sounds very young to go outside permanently. If I remember right from what I read on here the earliest is about 10 weeks. They won’t need the brooder inside anymore, but are still to wee to go outside nights too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 Such different opinions it's confusing! Some people have told me they have put theirs out permanently which are younger than mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted September 21, 2020 Author Share Posted September 21, 2020 Here are mine. Still think they are too small? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Mine moved outside at 6 weeks and were absolutely fine. I’d say yours will be too as they’re pretty well feathered and will snuggle together at night. Having said that it was August when mine moved out rather than late September. Just keep an eye on night time temperatures and bring them in if it gets really cold. Have they been out during the day already? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 Yes they have been out during the day. At around 6.00 pm yesterday they went up the steps of the eglu and went into to the coop lol. One went and the rest followed. First time they have gone up themselves. But I bring them in at night due to being advised not to leave them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 23, 2020 Share Posted September 23, 2020 I’d let them stay out now so they get used to it before it gets really cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 I agree they'll be fine outside overnight if they're already out all day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 They were outside during the day but the weather was better than it is now. The breeder advised I bring them in at night for another couple of weeks. Don't know what to do now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 If in doubt bring them in; better safe than sorry. They don't look very big or well feathered and they can be getting cold during the day. Excessive cold runs them down and they can get ill. Without seeing the coop and its location I can't be sure leaving them out is OK at the moment. We bring our more fragile adults in at night if we feel it necessary. The handling will be beneficial long term as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted September 24, 2020 Author Share Posted September 24, 2020 (edited) Beantree attached is a pic of the coop. I have the insulated cover coming this morning. It also has a full rain cover on it now. Edited September 24, 2020 by Debbie1962 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 25, 2020 Share Posted September 25, 2020 It looks sheltered to me. If it is out of the wind they should be fine out at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted September 26, 2020 Author Share Posted September 26, 2020 It's out of the direct wind but still gets some wind. They now have the omlet weather protector cover and a tarpaulin the full length of the coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...