4 week olds and moving outdoor help-and other help!

[Sonya9]

You can also get a $10 power adjuster cord (or dimmer cord) for the heat lamp/heat emitter. That lets you ease off on the heat slowly.

Personally I would let the chicks explore the outdoor coop/run during the daytime and get comfortable with it and the outdoor temps before leaving them out all night. You want to reduce stress whenever possible, and new surroundings plus cold nights = stress.

 

[whiskeybanjo]

UPDATE: We let the chicks out yesterday for about 5 hours and they seemed to love it. Darth Vader (our easter egger) had a great time running around with an earthworm in her mouth and teasing the others before she pecked it to death. We brought them in overnight and I took them back out this morning. It was pretty cold this morning (low 40s), so I put them into the coop, but that lasted about a minute before they all slid down to the run.

I went to check on them again about an hour later (upper 40s) and they were huddled in a corner together but otherwise seemed OK. It's supposed to warm up quickly today and should be around 60 now and up to 72.

I was thinking of letting them stay out overnight tonight because our lows are only getting to the mid 40s... But maybe that is too cold? I don't really want to run a lamp out to them because I want them to get used to it (and have an unhealthy fear of fire), but I also want them to not die. Is it better to bring them in a few more nights then? I do want them to get used to it because the really cold weather is coming soon... How do I encourage them to go into the coop at night?

One last thing--our littlest (with the least feathers) is Partridge Plymouth Rock and she keeps opening one wing and then falling to that side for a few seconds before getting up. My husband things she's just tripping on the wire of the run, but I'm not sure. I'm most concerned about her--she small, still fuzzy and had pasty butt her first week.

 

[aart]

What's the temp of the room you have their brooder in?
Have you removed the heat from the brooder yet?

 

[whiskeybanjo]

About a week and 1/2 ago I lifted the brooder light about a foot above the box, so not too much warmth. Then about 5 days ago I took the light off at night, then about 3 days ago got rid of it altogether. I don't think that they were happy (probably due to lack of light and warmth), but did fine. We keep our home between 62-70 (too cold for me, but we are cheap). After yesterday's outside adventure, when I brought them inside they chirped loudly for quite a while before settling down.

I hope that they are OK today. Sheesh--I feel like it's their first day at daycare or something. I need to get a grip!

 

[aart]

About a week and 1/2 ago I lifted the brooder light about a foot above the box, so not too much warmth. Then about 5 days ago I took the light off at night, then about 3 days ago got rid of it altogether. I don't think that they were happy (probably due to lack of light and warmth), but did fine. We keep our home between 62-70 (too cold for me, but we are cheap). After yesterday's outside adventure, when I brought them inside they chirped loudly for quite a while before settling down.

I hope that they are OK today. Sheesh--I feel like it's their first day at daycare or something. I need to get a grip!

They always cheep a lot when settling down at night......it can be unnerving and/or annoying.
I'd bring them in for a couple more nights...keeping it a cool as possible in the room, maybe even crack open a window.

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.
Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.
Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.
Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.
This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.

 

[appps]

They always cheep a lot when settling down at night......it can be unnerving and/or annoying.
I'd bring them in for a couple more nights...keeping it a cool as possible in the room, maybe even crack open a window.

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.
Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.
Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.
Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.
This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.

In the same boat. I like your huddle box idea. Going to try that!

 

[aart]

Quote: It works really good but have to kind of hold a few in there until they get the idea that they won't 'die' in there...little cluckers don't like new stuff, lol!

 

[appps]

It works really good but have to kind of hold a few in there until they get the idea that they won't 'die' in there...little cluckers don't like new stuff, lol!

They've got a spot they sleep every night so I've sat it over that. Fingers crossed

 

[whiskeybanjo]

Update! We've been using the cuddle box and they really enjoyed it for the first few days. Now they are fairly well acclimated to being outside during the day, but I've been bringing them in overnight.

They aren't interested in going into the coop at all--so I think that this weekend I may build a little lattice (for ventilation) door for the coop so that they get the hint and start sleeping in there. Temps shouldn't be going below 30, so I think they'll be OK...

I'm also considering connecting the run to the wooden shed/playhouse at least for the winter. I will need to install some ventilation and really make sure it's predator proof (my biggest concern with it). I think it would be easier for them and us if we had a walk-in structure during the winter to check on them, but they'd still be able to go into the run and small coop if they like.

They're 5 1/2 weeks and I've got them on grower feed, some grit, and treats (they like warm oatmeal).

Thanks all for the advice!

 

[aart]

Update! We've been using the cuddle box and they really enjoyed it for the first few days. Now they are fairly well acclimated to being outside during the day, but I've been bringing them in overnight.

They aren't interested in going into the coop at all--so I think that this weekend I may build a little lattice (for ventilation) door for the coop so that they get the hint and start sleeping in there. Temps shouldn't be going below 30, so I think they'll be OK...

I'm also considering connecting the run to the wooden shed/playhouse at least for the winter. I will need to install some ventilation and really make sure it's predator proof (my biggest concern with it). I think it would be easier for them and us if we had a walk-in structure during the winter to check on them, but they'd still be able to go into the run and small coop if they like.

They're 5 1/2 weeks and I've got them on grower feed, some grit, and treats (they like warm oatmeal).

Thanks all for the advice!

You'll have to just bite the bullet and put them in the coop with their cuddle box, leave them locked in the coop for a solid week to 'home' to it.
A little confused about what kind of coop run you have for them.