2-week chicks not keen on brooder

[Hyena]

So I finally got chickens after years of yearning (technically my parents got chickens, but really they're mine!). They are a bit over 2 weeks old & being kept in a water trough in our screened-in porch. As they've grown bigger & bolder, the chicks now like to roam around the porch to explore; they hop in & out of the brooder on their own (the silkies need help getting back in, though I made some ramps for them).

It's not cold here, right now in the high 70's/low 80's Farenheit, but I know that's still not hot enough for 2 week-olds. They do seem to sleep under their heat plate at night, but during the day they're rarely under it anymore. I suppose my questions are: How much time a day do they need to be under the heater? Should I have them stay in the brooder for now? The chicks don't act cold, they're all super energetic & happy.

We have 2 Brahmas, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Easter Eggers, & 2 Silkie bantams. I know these are cold hardy breeds, but I figured I'd make extra sure the amount of time spent outside of the brooder isn't detrimental to them. Thank you in advance. <3

 

[Mamatomany123]

They will go under if their cold. Theres no set amount of time chicks need heat. When they get cold theyll founder, warm up, then run around again.

 

[RobertaD1]

They look a bit over 2 weeks... maybe 3 or 4 weeks.....
If thats the case, they wont use the plate as much at all. So, you are good!

 

[RobertaD1]

When they get cold.... They will tell you by way of VERY loud chirping!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your temperatures are quite good for chicks of that age to be out and about most of the time, so it's normal that they're only going under the heat plate to warm up for a bit, then back out, during the day.