4 week old chickens must go outside

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Lpop

In the Brooder
Apr 2, 2024
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I'm new to chickens. I have 12 chickens six are 5 weeks old and six are 7 weeks old. The coop is ready and they must go outside. They've outgrown their brooder and must go to the coop. I'm just worried because the weather is still chilly. It will be all the way down to 28° one night, and a few degrees higher most of the week before it starts warming up a little bit. I'm worried if the 5 week olds are too young and need a heat lamp. We built vents at the top of the walls off the ceilings for ventilation so any draft will be above them. But I'm wondering if I need a heat lamp for the 5 week olds and if it'll be safe to have an outdoor extension cord in the rain to run it. My husband was thinking it would be a good idea to also close off some of the vents to keep it warmer. The coop is 12 feet by 6 ft and 6+ ft tall, so I don't know how warm it will stay with their body heat since it's on the larger side.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

Put them out. They will be just fine. Just make sure they have plenty of ventilation and no drafts directly on them. They will not roost over night right away and will huddle on the floor of the coop in the bedding.
They do NOT need a heat lamp. Not even the 5 week olds. Because they will huddle together on the floor. And they are nearly completely feathered. They'll be fine.
If you are overly concerned, provide a huddle box for them to use if they want.
 
Lpop said:
I'm new to chickens. I have 12 chickens six are 5 weeks old and six are 7 weeks old. The coop is ready and they must go outside. They've outgrown their brooder and must go to the coop. I'm just worried because the weather is still chilly. It will be all the way down to 28° one night, and a few degrees higher most of the week before it starts warming up a little bit. I'm worried if the 5 week olds are too young and need a heat lamp. We built vents at the top of the walls off the ceilings for ventilation so any draft will be above them. But I'm wondering if I need a heat lamp for the 5 week olds and if it'll be safe to have an outdoor extension cord in the rain to run it. My husband was thinking it would be a good idea to also close off some of the vents to keep it warmer. The coop is 12 feet by 6 ft and 6+ ft tall, so I don't know how warm it will stay with their body heat since it's on the larger side.
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I would start by putting a thermometer in the coop, with no heat source, and read what it says first thing in the morning. It may be warmer than you expect.

A heat lamp could be a good idea. But given their age, you might try a huddle box: basically a closed box, with openings on several sides, where they can go in and huddle together to stay warm. The box helps contain their body heat while they sleep.

If they still have a heat lamp inside your house, I would plan on putting the heat lamp out with them in the coop, at least at first. If they are already living at house temperature with no heat lamp, they are a bit closer to outside temperature, so there will be less adjustment.

You might also try a few days of putting them in the coop each morning, but bringing them back inside for the night. They do not need as much space while they are sleeping, so a too-small brooder is not quite as bad at night as it would be during the day. Having them outside for half of the time will also mean that half of the droppings and more than half of the dust are outside too. This can help them adjust to the outdoor conditions a bit, before you move them out permanently.
 

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