[jackie]

a friend of mine has 4 chicks that were born on april 9th. she has them indoors under a lamp and they are thriving. when should she take the lamp away and at what age can they go outside. i dont know the answers because i got my chooks point of lay. any advice would be welcome

[TeaPots]

reduce the heat gradually...the chix will peep loudly if they get cold, and huddle-up. I Raise the heat lamp a bit more from around 3 weeks as their little feathers grow. By 4 weeks, they are usually off heat but still indoors, and i put then them out on the lawn in a small run for an hour or 2 a day when it is warm. At 5-6 weeks I put them outside, and wean them onto growers pellets.

[jackie]

thanks, ive passed this information on to my friend.

[hillfooter]

I'd agree with Teapots.  In summer I take them off heat quicker than when it's colder.  I start raising the lamp as TP says after about three days and in about 3 weeks start turning the lamp off during the warmer parts of the day until you are only using it at night.  The key is the feathering.  Once they are reasonably well feathered, at this time of year, after about 4 and a half weeks, you can cut the heat complete and only use it if there's going to be a very cold night.
HF

[themagicaltoad1]

reduce the heat gradually...the chix will peep loudly if they get cold, and huddle-up. I Raise the heat lamp a bit more from around 3 weeks as their little feathers grow. By 4 weeks, they are usually off heat but still indoors, and i put then them out on the lawn in a small run for an hour or 2 a day when it is warm. At 5-6 weeks I put them outside, and wean them onto growers pellets.

Ditto.
Mine are just over 4 weeks and they now spend several hours a day in a secure run. There is a covered area that acts as a bit of a green house and stays quite warm for them if they get chilly, or they can go into the coop. They love being outside, it's like a big adventure for them and the older girls get a chance to see them. I only put them under the lamp now at night.
Watch out for carrion birds such as crows who will swoop down and take them if they're not in a covered run.