First night in the coop

[KayChickMom29]

I'm debating if I should let my 3 week old chicks spend the night in their coop tonight with the heat lamp through the window or if it's still way too soon. They're getting so cramped inside the house . It's a beautiful sunny 70 degrees today, with a low of 48 degrees and no rain/no heavy winds. They're about half fluff and half feathering. They've been outside most of the day and they've been happily running around the run of their coop and occasionally gathering together for power naps with the heat lamp. What do you all think???

 

[nuthatched]

Kick em out.

 

[lagrange chicks]

Look a little under feathered for the air coming your way, we are 32F now in southern Wi. Might need the heat lamp in the coop, secure it good.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I did put in 2 windows, one on each side of the coop. I can maybe fasten it to the outside of the coop so that it points inside the window and its not directly on them. Do you think that would be enough?

It takes just one drop of water to cause the bulb to literally explode.

My vote is to keep the lamp inside the coop and very securely attached if you do put them out.

A better option is to make a bigger brooder inside the house, a garage or a shed.

 

[Cpgrnwd]

Have you seen the article about making a cave with a heating pad? I haven't tried it but it seems like a good plan to me ill see if i can find the article and put a link here.

 

[Cpgrnwd]

Have you seen the article about making a cave with a heating pad? I haven't tried it but it seems like a good plan to me ill see if i can find the article and put a link here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ur-chicks-outdoors.71995/reviews#review-39456

 

[21hens-incharge]

Good point about the coming forecast.

My concerns are leaning more to coop size and if they will be able to get away from the heat if needed. That and a heat lamp must be very securely attached. Never ever trust that clamp.

 

[21hens-incharge]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

This is an enormous thread but the set up is shown very early on.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I'm going to start having nightmares about this hear lamp . I'm going to buy a brooder instead

I still use a red lamp. My coop is quite large so I hang mine by chain.

The mama heating pad isn't one that heats the floor. It's a tunnel they go under as if it were mama hen. It doesn't heat the whole space at all.
The trick is finding a heating pad (just like a human would use) that doesn't shut off after a certain amount of time.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Once I figure out the heating situation, should I put their food and water inside the coop with them? Or does it stay in the run and they get it when they leave the coop in the morning?

That depends.
Some aren't very good at going in and out at first.

I would have it in both places until they navigate the ramp like a pro.