If you are a new chicken owner or are researching raising chickens, this post is perfect for you. In this post you will Learn Easy Steps to Moving Your Chickens Outside. I will share with you two options. The fast method and the gradual method.
Start Your New Chicks Indoors in a Brooder
When you bring your chickens home you will want to start them in a brooder. You can set this up in your garage or laundry room. Or anywhere that is protected from the elements. To help you get started you can read my post, How to Get Started Raising Chickens. Keep indoors in a brooder for at least 4 weeks with a heat lamp or heat warmer.
Preparing to Move Your Chicks Outside
Step One. Have a secure coop set up for your chickens. Their coop should be elevated 6-12 inches above the ground. Make sure their run is secure from predators and the chicks will also be unable to escape.
Step two. Have a good water and food set up that your chicks can easily access. I recommend starting your chicks on food specially formulated for them. Having proper food for your chicks will help them grow strong and have a better immune system.
Fast Method
For the fast method, you can move your chicks to their coop at 4-12 weeks old. When they have most or all of their feathers in. Different breeds of chickens will vary in how quickly their feathers come in
Chicken Stress
If your chickens seem overly stressed over the situation (lots of chirping and snuggling together), you may choose to bring them back in at night with their heat lamp, if needed). This all depends on the temperatures outside in your area at the time of transition.
Best Teperature
The best temperature to transition your chickens is 55 degrees or warmer at night. We usually only have chickens in Spring and Summer to make transitioning easier on everyone.
Chicken Safety
Make sure your chicks are locked in their coop at night. Some may go in on their own, but others may not. They will all eventually learn to go in their coop at night on their own.
Chickens are sturdy animals and will be just fine living outside. Sometimes it’s hard to separate from them but you will know best when they are ready. If you are unsure, you can always try the gradual method, outlined below.
Gradual Method
The gradual method is similar to the Fast Method except that you gradually introduce your chickens to their coop and run. For the gradual method, you can start taking your chicks outside at 2 weeks old. When they have some or most of their feathers in.
Take Chicks Outside
Take them outside to a nice secure area and let them explore. The temperature outside must be above 55 degrees. Start taking them outside for 15 minutes and gradually increase the time. If you have an existing flock of full-grown chickens, keep them separate from the baby chicks. I usually stay outside with them, especially in the beginning.
Chicken Stress
If your chickens seem overly stressed over the situation (lots of chirping and snuggling together), you may choose to bring them back in.
Timing
You will likely be able to leave your chicks outside full time between 4- 12 weeks old. This depends on multiple things, of course. Such as fully feathered chicks and the outside temperatures.
Try to take them outside every day, working to leave them a bit longer each day.
Bring them back in at night or if the temperatures are too cold for them during the day.
Once you feel comfortable, it’s time to leave them overnight.
I usually will use the gradual method for multiple days or weeks, mostly depending on the temperatures and the chickens’ adaptation to being outside.
Chicken Safety
Make sure your chicks are locked in their coop at night. Some may go in on their own, but others may not. They will all eventually learn to go in their coop at night on their own.
Get Your Free Printable Guide to Moving Your Chickens Outside
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Steps to Easily Move Your Chickens Outside – Both Methods