3 week olds are roosting, time for lights out?

[mumztheword]

I have three 3-week-olds that I got shipped as day-olds. They arrived healthy and happy, and spent a week in the house with us. The second week, I would put them outside in the coop/run for some playtime, and gradually built that up until they started staying in the coop overnight (with a heat lamp) at about 2 weeks old. They've adjusted really well -- no piling or looking cold -- only time I goofed is when I put the lamp on too early and it got pretty hot in the coop.

This morning, I unplugged the light at about 7 am, then fixed my coffee and went out to check on them and let them out. When I looked in the window, they were all up on the roost asleep. I'm guessing that they hopped up there after the lamp went off -- otherwise it would have been way too hot.

I realize that I haven't followed the 5-degrees per week rule, but they are growing and feathering out and are doing great. Temps here in New England are humid 80s during the day, and low 60s at night. They aren't *fully* feathered yet, but I'm wondering if I should let them go without the heat lamp so that they can roost at night?

Thanks for all your help and experience!

 

[Ashlyn Baack]

I think it would be okay to let them not have the heat lamp for 1 night just to see if it works out. and if not then start up the heat lamp again, or try to find another spot for it if you can.

 

[RonC]

At 4 weeks mine were outside in the coop/run with no heat lamp. Night time temps were mid to low fifties and they have done fine. They were feathered except for thier heads at the time, looked like vultures. Of course some breeds do feather in slower and might require heat a little longer. I did have a small night light in the coop to encourage them to go in after dark but didn't make any heat.