Outside question

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MMAATC

MMAATC

In the Brooder
Mar 26, 2015
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Getting ready to put our month old golden laced hens outside and was wondering if they need a light in the coop. It is 40 degree lows and 70 degree highs in central Indiana now. Would you start them out by introducing them to the coop for an hour or so one day? Thanks
 
Yes, that is definitely a little young if they have not been acclimated. However -- I have brooded chicks in the coop and had them avoid the heat lamp after 3 weeks with lows in the 50's, so it's not that they can;t, they just need to be accustomed to it. Or -- put them out now with some warmth, but arranged so they can get away from it. They will let you know when they don't need it any more.

They don't actually need a light at all, of course, but may want some warmth at this point.

Broody mamas will take thier chicks out foraging in 20 degree weather -- for a few minutes, they cover them, then let them out again.
 
Ours do not have the mama for guidance. So I can turn the heat lamp off in the garage at night and that will be ok? I might take them out for an hour or so later today because it is 65 and breezy. Looks like they all have about 90% of feathers and they are jumping all over one another in the brooder. I am finding feathers I. The bottom of it from them fighting a little. Any help on this? My first time raising chicks.
 
I have my small coop set up with a light inside that I can turn on and off. It's not a heat lamp, it's a regular incandescent bulb. I think it's 75W. If the coop is relatively sheltered, they might be OK with just the regular light on. If they are not acclimated, you don't want to just put them out there. Within a week or so, they should be used to it and you can begin doing without the light if necessary. I like the light because it discourages predators. They are reluctant to come up to the coop/run with the light shining on them. My bigger coop/run has a heat lamp set up in the run and only on VERY cold nights - like in the teens (I live in NW Florida) do I turn that on. It's off for the summer now.
 
I put mine in their coop at that age I locked them in for several days before letting them out into the run it was still in the 40s at night so I used a heat light at night they did very well
 

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