4week old chicks in coop overnight

[AMD10]

This is my first flock and was wondering if I can put my 4 chicks outside overnight at 4weeks? We’re in Southern California and it’s been 90 during the day, and about 65 at night. The brooder is currently in the garage, where it gets unbelievably hot, and I move them to the coop outside each day anyway. In the evening they go back into the garage brooder but I haven’t been turning the heat lamp since it’s warm in there to begin with. They have most all of their feathers. Thanks!

 

[Saveria]

You can. They should be fine.

 

[Tonyroo]

You can but make sure your coop has good ventilation. The ammonia build up from there poop can make them sick.

 

[AMD10]

You can but make sure your coop has good ventilation. The ammonia build up from there poop can make them sick.

Yes! The coop has a large run attached so it’s plenty big. However now I am wondering if they will know to get into their house each night or do I have to coax them in?

 

[Saveria]

Yes! The coop has a large run attached so it’s plenty big. However now I am wondering if they will know to get into their house each night or do I have to coax them in?

You may since there aren't older birds for them to follow. Some folks will close them in the coop with food and water for a week so they recognize it as home, but obviously, you have to think about heat and ventilation again. We just made our run predator proof so they can choose where they want to sleep.

 

[AMD10]

You may since there aren't older birds for them to follow. Some folks will close them in the coop with food and water for a week so they recognize it as home, but obviously, you have to think about heat and ventilation again. We just made our run predator proof so they can choose where they want to sleep.

Great! Yes our run is predator proof as well. Thanks so much!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes! The coop has a large run attached so it’s plenty big. However now I am wondering if they will know to get into their house each night or do I have to coax them in?

Ventilation means having predator proof, open air flow inside the coop - in hotter climates it's vital to provide as much as possible, around 2-3 sq ft per bird, 24/7. Has nothing to do with the run space, unless you're saying it's an open air coop run combo where it's a single open space?

Some folks will close them in the coop with food and water for a week so they recognize it as home, but obviously, you have to think about heat and ventilation again.

^ This. Leaving the chicks inside the coop for several days or longer will help home them to it, however do not attempt to use this method if you do not have ample ventilation, floor space, and can keep an eye on temperatures inside the coop. Heat stress is a bigger issue for chickens than getting chilled.

 

[The Chicken life chose me]

This is my first flock and was wondering if I can put my 4 chicks outside overnight at 4weeks? We’re in Southern California and it’s been 90 during the day, and about 65 at night. The brooder is currently in the garage, where it gets unbelievably hot, and I move them to the coop outside each day anyway. In the evening they go back into the garage brooder but I haven’t been turning the heat lamp since it’s warm in there to begin with. They have most all of their feathers. Thanks!

Be careful with raccoons !

 

[AMD10]

Ventilation means having predator proof, open air flow inside the coop - in hotter climates it's vital to provide as much as possible, around 2-3 sq ft per bird, 24/7. Has nothing to do with the run space, unless you're saying it's an open air coop run combo where it's a single open space?


^ This. Leaving the chicks inside the coop for several days or longer will help home them to it, however do not attempt to use this method if you do not have ample ventilation, floor space, and can keep an eye on temperatures inside the coop. Heat stress is a bigger issue for chickens than getting chilled.

We have this coop and then attached a large run to it and predator proofed/reinforced everything. So inside there is 17sqft and there are windows on either side but I still think it would be too hot to lock them in there for a few days to “home” it. The run we made and attached is 9’x13’, which we secured to the backside of this coop. We just took that door off the bottom so they can get in/out - up/down. I can still escort them to bed each night, no problem. And yes with these temperatures heat has been my main concern. I’m dying myself lol

 

[AMD10]

Be careful with raccoons !

Those are my main concern! We’re in a very suburban area with no other big threats. They are little sneaky buggers