I read this thread and saw that you've received a ton of advice and information, so I decided to pass on commenting. But the image of those two 250 watt heat lamps blazing away inside your coop wouldn't leave my brain.
You went to an awful lot of expense and trouble to install those heat lamps, and it's really not what your chicks need. It would be fine if you were creating a hot house to grow orchids, but baby chicks aren't plants.
Ridge posted the heat guideline chart, and even specified at what ages the temperatures were to be applied, but no where in the heat guidelines does it ever say: Temperatures indicated are directly beneath the heat source ONLY! Not applicable to the rest of the brooder environment, which must be much cooler than temps under the heat source.
There. Now I feel much better.
I hope this helps.
You went to an awful lot of expense and trouble to install those heat lamps, and it's really not what your chicks need. It would be fine if you were creating a hot house to grow orchids, but baby chicks aren't plants.
Ridge posted the heat guideline chart, and even specified at what ages the temperatures were to be applied, but no where in the heat guidelines does it ever say: Temperatures indicated are directly beneath the heat source ONLY! Not applicable to the rest of the brooder environment, which must be much cooler than temps under the heat source.
There. Now I feel much better.
. The silkies are definitely afraid to go down to the run though and get stuck down there afraid to climb back up.... The silkies also have gotten sooo fluffy. I heard when they are in colder weather their feathers really come in. 
