Chirp Chirp: Part 4

The Broiler Chicks will be ready to go out to pasture soon. I have included a few pictures so you can see the metamorphosis they go through in the first couple weeks. Warning: Cuteness level is highest day one and goes down rapidly.  They are not ready to be without the heat lamp until their feathers are fully developed. We  keep the brooder 95 degrees on day one and gradually lower the temperature for 2-3 weeks until we have completely weaned them from the supplemental heat. After a few days in the brooder with no heat, they are ready to go outside. In our pasture pens, they will be protected from predators, have plenty of feed and water, and be moved to new pasture daily. However, there is no heat, so they must be able to keep warm naturally with a full layer of feathers. That's also why we don't raise broilers here in the winter in north Georgia.