Moving chicks outside

[ashley6391]

Hi! I have 6- 4 1/2 week old chicks they are almost fully feathered. We live in central illinois! We have had them in the mudroom of our house and have been moving the heat lamp further and further away every week. We are wanting to move them out to there coop this weekend. The temps are in the mid 60's to low 70's during the day but around the 50's at night and I just looked next week at night is suppose to get in the 40's! Should I keep a heat lamp in the coop at first just incase?? And should I have it on during the day even though it is pretty hot outside, then just turn it on at night?? TIA

 

[nhealy]

I have 4-5 week old chick and I have them in the coop outside for the last week. I am from WI and have night time temps in the low 40's. I did keep the heat lamp in there and they can decide whether to use the heat or not. I leave the heat lamp on all day and will until they are fully feathered but the chicks are pretty smart about knowing where to go when the weather gets cool at night.