Are they ready to be outside?

Date sort Score sort
ambe0487

ambe0487

Songster
Jul 6, 2015
953
275
191
Urbandale, IA
I have 5 - 7week old chicks. Overnight temps will be approximately 25 degrees.
700



If I put them outside, do I need a heat lamp?
700

I have feed bags about 4 feet up to cut wind.
 
Take baby steps introducing the chick to the coop and monitor their behaviour and if they are about 6-8 weeks old that should be just fine. Do it in stages though I would suggest like 2 hours... then 4 hours... then 6 hours... Its not necessary but i think its better :)

I would hate to go from warmth to cold like that lol

Monitor and Trial it! Hope this helps
Joey
 
Chickens always need to be gradually acclimated when you intend to subject them to drastic temperature extremes. While fully feathered chicks won't have any problem surviving sub-freezing weather, suddenly going from a 70 degree house to below freezing in a coop is much too drastic.

It's best to keep them inside, turn off the heat, and lower the temp in their room over a period of several days, gradually getting them accustomed to cooler, then colder air temps before the final move.

This is one reason I'm a huge advocate of brooding chicks outside in the coop or run. That way they are cold hardened from the very beginning, gradually needing less heat from their heat source as they feather out. Then they're already acclimated when they're fully weaned off their heat source. Next time you brood chicks, you might consider this system.
 
I brought them inside. I figure I'll take them out during the day and back in before sundown. That way they get some athletic time and use to their new coop, while also getting them accustomed to the weather. :)
 

Similar threads

Jolenes mom
What age can baby chicks go outside?
2
Replies
11
Views
2K
Emmaloveschickens9156
Emmaloveschickens9156
Eggsandbeyond
    • Like
When can my chicks be in the barn with heat source?
Replies
8
Views
2K
Leatherworker
Leatherworker
ForFlocksSake
When is it safe for them to be outside in North Florida winter conditions?
Replies
8
Views
2K
PoppasGrill
PoppasGrill
jolly wattles
5 week old chicks not enough space!
2
Replies
13
Views
2K
Bigbluefrog
Bigbluefrog
TattooedChickenPapa
    • Like
Ready to go outside?
Replies
8
Views
1K
kengboss21
kengboss21

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom