Moving to the coop (night time lows in the high 30s)

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HenriettaPlume

HenriettaPlume

In the Brooder
6 Years
Jan 11, 2014
92
5
48
East Lansing
My three chicks are five weeks old, and fully feathered. I am hoping to move them to the coop full time in the next week or two. My question is if they will be OK without a heat lamp with temperatures at night in the high 30s and low 40s.

Many thanks in advance for your advice!
 
Are they still under a heat lamp now? What is the temperature where they are now?

I just moved some 6 week olds out the other night. I got them ready by weaning them off the heat lamp the week before I put them out. They were in a 50 degree garage, so it was a great temp to do that. First I turned the light off at night and finally had it off entirely about 3-4 days before they moved.

I hung a heat lamp in their coop to use when it will be below 35. Turning it on at dusk also helps get them back in their coop until they figure out what they're doing.
 
Thanks so much for your reply!

Mine have been off of the heat lamp about about five days, and are in a steady 64-degree basement. The seem to be adjusting to the cooler temperature just fine.

I'm glad to hear that you have put your chicks out in similar temperatures. Thanks for the reassurance!
 
Oh, your chicks will be just fine then if they're already off of the heat lamp. Hopefully, we're finally done with the crazy cold and won't be getting below 30, right? :)
 
Seriously! We just emerged from the snowiest winter in Detroit since 1890. We are SO ready for some warm weather!!!

My best to you and your babies!!!
 
If it's dark they're not going to be eating and drinking anyway. I am one state over and it's about the same climate and my chicks are the same age as yours and they're moving out tomorrow. I'm not a bit worried about mine. They've been in the 40-50 degree garage for a couple of weeks with heating only when it's been in the low 30's. I have 15 though so as long as they snuggle, they'll be ok.

I'm putting my food/water outside.
 
Thanks so much for your response! This is my first time with chickens, and I'm a nervous nellie. With your input, we've decided to put the chicks out this upcoming weekend. Of course it's supposed to rain, with lows in the mid-30s, but I'll be here to check on them, and jump in if needed. I'm so excited about getting them out to the coop full time!
 
HenriettaPlume said:
Thanks so much for your response! This is my first time with chickens, and I'm a nervous nellie. With your input, we've decided to put the chicks out this upcoming weekend. Of course it's supposed to rain, with lows in the mid-30s, but I'll be here to check on them, and jump in if needed. I'm so excited about getting them out to the coop full time!
Click to expand...
I was nervous too when I did it last year with my chicks. Don't worry, they will be just fine. The only time I leave food and water in the coop at night is when I know they will be snowed in the following day. Leave the coop for resting, roosting.. and of course laying those eggs!!!! As long as they are fully feathered,, you'll be amazed at how resilient they are. I live in NY, and our winter was awful, many many sub freezing nights. I never put a heat lamp in. As long as they are protected from the wind, but with good ventilation above for the moisture to escape, you will never have any trouble with them being too cold.

Good Luck!

MB
 

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