3 weeks old chicks outside at night ok?

[Coolchicksnchickens]

Hi it’s my first time raising chicks and I’m caught between listening to my chicks behavior and what I think their temperature should be at.
Today I moved my 3 chicks into their coop in the backyard since they were flying their brooder inside already. I had planned to move them at 5-6 weeks but that did not happen/:
I live in AZ so the day temperature is 80 F and the night low is 61 F. I have two lamps set up. One inside the covered area and one outside the covered area outside. Currently it’s about 70 F outside and the chicks are not staying in the covered box area but instead are still outside under the heat lamp walking around. They don’t seem to be cold and they aren’t huddled under the lamp together. I have a thermometer inside the enclosed area and it’s reading 81 F. I also have a temperature gun which is reading the outside heated lamp area at 75 F.
So my question is do they seem like will be okay given their behavior? Can they actually be cold but act fine (not in distress)?
Any advice would help greatly! Thank you
Note- I’m checking on them every hour tonight to make sure they are doing okay. If I start to see them huddled under the heat lamp I’m going to put them back in the broader.

 

[Kizmet]

Sounds like they’re doing fine, as long as they have their heat lamp.

 

[BlueBaby]

I'm here in AZ. also, and have the same temp's. I move my chick's out to the grow out pen in the coop this time of year when they are 3 week's old. I do not put a heat lamp out there for them. I just make sure that they do have ventilation and food and water, but also shade and that the direct sun and higher wind's or rain can't get to them. They will be fine, and sleep together for warmth if they need any.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not sure why you have 2 heat sources, it's confusing for them. You only need a heat source in their coop area, leave the outside unheated. Chicks should return to their heat source when they need to warm up and then not use it when they don't need it.

Your temperatures are very good to be moving chicks out early. You don't even need the heat on during the day if it remains at 80.

 

[Coolchicksnchickens]

Sounds like they’re doing fine, as long as they have their heat lamp.

Thanks for the reply! I thought so too but decided to move them back inside since I was getting anxious and thought better to be safe then sorry lol. I worry about my ladies

 

[Coolchicksnchickens]

Not sure why you have 2 heat sources, it's confusing for them. You only need a heat source in their coop area, leave the outside unheated. Chicks should return to their heat source when they need to warm up and then not use it when they don't need it.

Your temperatures are very good to be moving chicks out early. You don't even need the heat on during the day if it remains at 80.

I read some forums on here that suggested two lamps in case one runs out during the night. But I can definitely see how that would confuse them to get back in the coop area. I turned the outside light off then they ran inside lol

 

[Coolchicksnchickens]

I'm here in AZ. also, and have the same temp's. I move my chick's out to the grow out pen in the coop this time of year when they are 3 week's old. I do not put a heat lamp out there for them. I just make sure that they do have ventilation and food and water, but also shade and that the direct sun and higher wind's or rain can't get to them. They will be fine, and sleep together for warmth if they need any.

Thanks for your reply! I think you’re totally right I’m just anxious as a first time parent

 

[rosemarythyme]

I know it's tempting to coddle them but mine were outside at 2 days out with a heating pad, down in the 40s at night. Some folks brood outside down in the 20s. As long as they have a draft free place to bed down and protection from the elements, and a reliable heat source they can access when they want, they'll do fine.

 

[BlueBaby]

Thanks for your reply! I think you’re totally right I’m just anxious as a first time parent

I understand. I was too when I first started out 4 year's ago.

 

[Coolchicksnchickens]

I understand. I was too when I first started out 4 year's ago.

Question since you are also in az- is the low of 70 degrees at night warm enough to keep the lamp off through the night? Thanks for all your helps!