My chicks are now 6 weeks old and in the coop with mamma, they roost at night but it is going to be in the 20's in a couple of nights so I'm wondering if I should use a heat lamp when it get's that cold out at night or are they old enough to be ok?
6 week old chicks and heat
- Thread starter brightonchicks
- Start date
They will be fine. Roosting with mama (and other birds?) they will be kept warm.
- Thread starter
- #3
Just momma right now, will introduce them to the other 3 hens I have when they are a little older and bigger.
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Hope you don't mind my question, but at what age do you introduce them to your older hens. I have three 5 week old Marans and they are getting too big for their brooder box and was needing some advice. Thank you
It's always best to wait until chicks are about the same size as the older hens, about 10 - 12 weeks old. Many people, myself included, put chicks out in a grow-out pen alongside the older birds at about 5 weeks or so and let them stay there until they are older. That gives the older birds plenty of time to get used to them and pecking order scuffles are usually fairly minor later when you do integrate them. 5 week old chicks have no way to defend themselves from full grown hens and the risk of a serious attack, maybe even death, is high. Chickens hate newcomers and they can be brutal.
I just put my babies in whenever they are little, like 2 weeks. At night I put them in their little baby coop, but with several hatches of chicks, I have had no issues with putting the age groups together that young. I would not let the chicks run around in the day in the winter, though. Mine free range. I have heard of the older ones killing the babies, but maybe that is with a rougher flock, or one that is confined.
The babies should be warm enough with the mother. It will make them hardier. If you are worried about the temperatures or later integration, just watch them and do what you think is best.
The babies should be warm enough with the mother. It will make them hardier. If you are worried about the temperatures or later integration, just watch them and do what you think is best.
- Aug 31, 2014
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My hatch of 19 chicks hasn't had any heat since week two and has been in the coop since week three.
They are now almost six weeks old and there hasn't been a night over 40 since being in the coop, with a few nights cold enough for frost.
As long as they can huddle together and aren't exposed to drafts your birds should be fine.
They are now almost six weeks old and there hasn't been a night over 40 since being in the coop, with a few nights cold enough for frost.
As long as they can huddle together and aren't exposed to drafts your birds should be fine.
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