Between 6 and 8 weeks of age, your chicks will be much larger and will need twice the amount of floor space they started with. If the temperature is mild and the chicks are fully feathered, they can be allowed outside during the day. It’s also time to start thinking about moving your chicks from the brooder to more permanent living quarters outside.

If you purchased straight-run chicks (50/50 males and females) you may be able to distinguish the males from the females around 5 to 7 weeks of age. The combs and wattles of the males usually develop earlier and are usually (but not always) larger than in the females. Females are typically smaller in size than males. If you are still uncertain of their sex by appearance, you’ll be sure who the males in the flock are when you hear them attempting to crow!
 

• Your chicks are able to regulate their body temperature by this time and should not need a heat source any longer unless the outside temperatures are still very cold. Keep temperature at 65°F if this is the case.
   
• Prepare your chicken house or coop. Housing should provide approximately 3 square feet of space per mature bird (2-3 sq ft for roasters and 2.5-3.5 sq ft for layers depending upon size) and should contain sufficient feeders and waterers to accommodate your flock size so that all birds can eat and drink at the same time. 2-3 inches of litter should be put down to minimize dampness and odor. A nest box for every 4 hens should be made available for laying pullets. Roosts are optional for laying pullets but not recommended for meat birds because of the potential for developing breast blisters.  
   
• If possible, prepare an area outside the coop for your birds. Outside runs or fenced in areas will allow chickens to scratch and peck to their hearts’ desire, returning to the roost at dusk to sleep. The house needs to have a secure latch that is fastened each night if they are allowed outside the during the day. An outside run attached to the coop with screening on the top and sides for protection will allow chickens unlimited access to the yard and save you time and worry.

• Once you move your birds to their permanent residence, make sure they are protected from sneaky predators, especially at night. Raccoons have been known to figure out how to unlatch a “secure” door to gain access to the chicken coop! 
   
• Laying pullets need to receive a constant amount of light exposure when they reach 16 weeks of age to promote good egg production. For maximum egg production, 17 hours of light (natural and/or artificial) per day is recommended.

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