5 Week Old Chicks - Do They Still Need a Heating Plate?

[rosemarythyme]

We have 6, 5 week old RIR's. They have been in a spare room in a tent. Michigan has the weirdest weather ... it goes from 70 to 30 inside just a couple of hours. I was thinking to leave a window cracked at night. I've not turned the heater on in about a week, the temp holding around 60 in that room.

It's hard to tell temp in my state. Is it okay to maybe put them in their new home outside in a week or so?

Should be fine, though I'd either crack the window or put them out for progressively longer periods outside so they're exposed to a wider temperature range than your consistent 60.

 

[LadyGuinevere]

Thank you, we will try that.

 

[NameIwish]

For what it is worth, old electric griddles can be used to heat coops and such. Get a temperature controller off Amazon that has a remote sensor, set the griddle to 'just barely' and mount it where you will. It is basically an aluminum plate with a heating element and thermostat built in to the power supply/temp control.

I built a cavity into the brooder box beneath a part of the floor - worked like a charm even after the Teflon had worn off. The feet attach with screws so you can adapt it to 'live' on the ceiling (above the birds) if you like. Next I'm planning on using one to keep the water from freezing.