Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: mumbley joe on March 05, 2016, 18:10

Title: young chickens going outside?
Post by: mumbley joe on March 05, 2016, 18:10

we have two ladies just under a year old pumping out the eggs like there's no tomorrow, but we also have two new younger girls hatched on march 10th. we have them in a hutch indoors for now but also have a small coop in the main run that they will go into so the older ones get used to them before letting them all in together. now what i need to know is given the time of year how old should the younger ones be before they are moved outside?

Title: Re: young chickens going outside?
Post by: New shoot on March 06, 2016, 17:24

Quote from: mumbley joe on March 05, 2016, 18:10

we also have two new younger girls hatched on march 10th

Did you mean Feb 10th? We are getting some really cold days and nights at the moment and they have no mum to snuggle up to.  On warmer days, you can put them out as soon as they are fully feathered, but I would get them back indoors at night, until they are bit bigger, or the overnight temperatures improve.

Title: Re: young chickens going outside?
Post by: mumbley joe on March 06, 2016, 18:13

yes New Shoot thanks for your reply, they were born on feb 10th, they are getting there feathers now but i was thinking another 4/5 weeks in doors then outside but i just wondered what anyone else thought?

Title: Re: young chickens going outside?
Post by: snow white on March 06, 2016, 20:02

Most chicks are on a heat lamp for about 6-8 weeks depending on the ambient temperature.  When they are 12 weeks they will be happy and able to go in with your normal chicks.

Title: Re: young chickens going outside?
Post by: mumbley joe on March 06, 2016, 22:31

thanks snow white