3-4wk old chicks old enough to stay in coop with heat lamp?

[Bantamsrcute]

I live in Massachusetts and have 12 chicks. 6 are 4wks old and are Americanas, the other 6 are 3 wk old Silkie bantams. I have them in my basement with a heat lamp and they are quickly outgrowing the box they're in. Can I safely move them to a coop now with a heat lamp? The temperatures are still pretty low at night (20s), 50s during the day, and we had a snowstorm just a week ago. I saw similar threads but people gave varying advice so I just wanted to ask again and see what the verdict is.

 

[NatJ]

If the heat lamp can keep them the correct temperature, then they will be fine. Some people brood chicks in the coop from the very first day, with a heat lamp or other heat source.

A heat lamp usually can provide enough heat to keep chicks warm in those temperatures, as long as there is no wind blowing through the coop. You can check with a thermometer, or by checking on the chicks several times to see if they are comfortable. Make sure they have plenty of cool space as well as a warm area, because they will need to move away from the heat lamp as the temperature goes up during the day, and then they will go closer to the heat again as the temperature drops at night.

 

[Chickenmom1981]

Honestly; I'd wait a bit before moving them outside. Having a heat lamp in a coop; you risk a fire starting out. The best thing to do; is to wait until they are fully feathered (depending on breeds some feather quicker than others); before taking them outside.

 

[Isadora]

Honestly; I'd wait a bit before moving them outside. Having a heat lamp in a coop; you risk a fire starting out. The best thing to do; is to wait until they are fully feathered (depending on breeds some feather quicker than others); before taking them outside.

But it sounds like they've outgrow the brooder. The coop is probably a better choice in this case or upgrade to a bigger brooder.

 

[Chickenmom1981]

It would be much safer to get a bigger brooder. Most experts suggest waiting until the chicks are anywhere between 6-10 weeks old; before moving them outside. Heat lamps are notorious for starting fires in chicken coops.
It also depends on the breed as well. For example I have delware chickens and they were fully feathered before they were 5 weeks old and so were my RIRS.

But it sounds like they've outgrow the brooder. The coop is probably a better choice in this case or upgrade to a bigger brooder.

 

[NatJ]

Heat lamps are notorious for starting fires in chicken coops.

Yes, heat lamps can start fires. That can happen in a chicken coop or in a basement or in any other part of a house.

Personally, I would set up the heat lamp SAFELY in the coop and move the chicks out there.

Then later, when the chicks do not need the heat any more, remove the heat lamp. When to remove the heat lamp is based on how the chicks act. When they are no longer sleeping under it at night, they no longer need it.