chicks
- Thread starter 3548derek
- Start date
foxy
Active member
This very much depends on the age of the bird, feathering and weather conditions. Growers are usually feathered up at about 6 weeks, and if the weather conditions are mild, and they have good housing with enough of them to keep warm at night they should be fine. Saying all that if there is a drop in temperature overnight a bit of heat, eg. an electric hen might come in useful.
It is also a good idea to "harden" off youngsters, so there isn't a major temperature or environmental change to stress them or challenge their immune systems. Some people have them outside on a fine day, then bring them in at night, then when they are hardened off, leave them out overnight, thus a gradual process of acclimatisation. When you first put growers out, they should be curious and active, watch out for signs of huddling, fluffing up, watery droppings which would indicate stress or illness in your youngsters.
Finally, it is not advisable to mix youngsters with adult birds, no matter how tempting! They are likely to get bullied or succumb to illness.
It is also a good idea to "harden" off youngsters, so there isn't a major temperature or environmental change to stress them or challenge their immune systems. Some people have them outside on a fine day, then bring them in at night, then when they are hardened off, leave them out overnight, thus a gradual process of acclimatisation. When you first put growers out, they should be curious and active, watch out for signs of huddling, fluffing up, watery droppings which would indicate stress or illness in your youngsters.
Finally, it is not advisable to mix youngsters with adult birds, no matter how tempting! They are likely to get bullied or succumb to illness.
Foxy knows what she's talking about, from lots of experience, but I'd just like to add that, when I took on two 5-week-old chicks last year, the breeder also warned me about keeping them out of the rain. Until they are fully feathered up, getting wet may make them cold and then they may get ill. I fixed a clear plastic sheet over the top of the small grass run I had them in, to give some extra shelter from wind and rain. Trouble is, the weather is so variable at this time of year, and the temperature drops fast at night. How old are your youngsters? The spring sunshine and fresh grass will be very good for them, if you can keep an eye on them and make sure they aren't getting chilled.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Ours go into a broody unit at 6 weeks, coming in at night is it gets cold and being covered over if it rains. As Marigold says if they get wet they will get very cold very fast as there won't be any oil in their feathers for quite a while, until they are further developed.
