Chicks out into the tractor

chookens · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:42 am **Posts:** 6

Hi I would like to know at what age can I put rhode island chicks out into the tractor during them day but return them to heat at night. I have 5 chicks aged 2 weeks on tuesday and would like to put them out to graze a little during daylight hours if that is possible?

Raf · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:11 am

They need to be feathered first so maybe at 4-6 weeks then you can during the day if its warm

Raf

chookens · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:42 am **Posts:** 6

I had an inkling it would be around that age thanks

Rhode Red · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:51 am

I agree with Raf. I take my chickens off lights around 4 to 6 weeks dependent on the weather.
RIR chickens are notorious for producing white in their feathers if they get stressed. This will show up mainly in the primary feathers as a white bar across the wing feathers.

Rhode Red

chookens · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:42 am **Posts:** 6

I will keep a lookout for those white feathers thanks for the advice

wickedwings · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:18 pm

RR, is that white a transient thing, ie. will it disappear with the next moult or once it's appeared it's fixed in that fowl?

chookens · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:42 am **Posts:** 6

Good question although I don't mind for my hens but would be good to know if it is permanent

Raf · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2011 8:45 am

The white feathers are interesting would like to hear more about that too please :-D

Raf

chookens · **Joined:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:42 am **Posts:** 6

I think he may not have seen our questions? I hope he does

Tangaloo · **Joined:** Fri Oct 21, 2011 5:54 pm **Posts:** 2

I put all my RIR chicks out at 7 week and have not had any trouble with deaths ect.. but be cautious of the night temperatures as they can drop this time of year still

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Chicks out into the tractor

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