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

[Debbie292d]

Okay sounds great, so taking the heating plate out at day/night is a good start to weaning then off heat? Thank you for your reply!

I think everyone's concurring that in your house at 71F, your 5-week old chicks are fine without added heat.

You've got hardy breeds besides. I'm used to dealing with silkies, not in the hardy category, and they're usually off heat around then too.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Okay sounds great, so taking the heating plate out at day/night is a good start to weaning then off heat? Thank you for your reply!

You can leave the plate (so they have the option of using it if they wish) but lowering the temperature of the room (i.e. lower thermostat, or open a window) or moving them outside (IF the coop or run are ready, and electricity can be provided out there) is the route I'd take.

You should easily be able to get them down to outside temps in a week and have them moved out.

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

I think everyone's concurring that in your house at 71F, your 5-week old chicks are fine without added heat.

You've got hardy breeds besides. I'm used to dealing with silkies, not in the hardy category, and they're usually off heat around then too.

Awesome okay! I will take them off the additional heating tonight! Really appreciate all the information and help!

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

You can leave the plate (so they have the option of using it if they wish) but lowering the temperature of the room (i.e. lower thermostat, or open a window) or moving them outside (IF the coop or run are ready, and electricity can be provided out there) is the route I'd take.

You should easily be able to get them down to outside temps in a week and have them moved out.

I took the heating plate out as it does give them more room. I do want to put them outside soon as to why I haven’t upgraded or got a larger brooder (attached photo) so if I can take the heating plate out it gives them much more space. Is this still okay? This also was taken then they were early 4 weeks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I took the heating plate out as it does give them more room. I do want to put them outside soon as to why I haven’t upgraded or got a larger brooder (attached photo) so if I can take the heating plate out it gives them much more space. Is this still okay? This also was taken then they were early 4 weeks.

Yes they could use more space, so removing it should help a little with that.

Don't be surprised if they all pile up in a corner or complain. Chickens hate change so anything new or different can upset them.

One chick looks younger or runtier than the others (the chipmunk one sitting on top of the plate in the photo) - how's it looking now that it's a bit older? More feathered in I hope?

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

Yes they could use more space, so removing it should help a little with that.

Don't be surprised if they all pile up in a corner or complain. Chickens hate change so anything new or different can upset them.

One chick looks younger or runtier than the others (the chipmunk one sitting on top of the plate in the photo) - how's it looking now that it's a bit older? More feathered in I hope?

Yes I did noticed them being very loud when I took the heating plate out. They have finally quiet down and seems like they are sleeping now. Some crowd and some are sleeping alone. I have attached some photos that I took 2 days ago. So the feathers are coming in!

 

[FeatheredFamily6]

Yes I did noticed them being very loud when I took the heating plate out. They have finally quiet down and seems like they are sleeping now. Some crowd and some are sleeping alone. I have attached some photos that I took 2 days ago. So the feathers are coming in!

The white one and the dark brown/ black one are sleeping solely alone far from the group and the rest are crowding to a corner but still seems like they are adjusting.

 

[thistlewick]

I am brand spanking new to this but for what it's worth;

I live in the Piedmont (central part) of North Carolina, in early summer its high of 80-85 outside during the day, down to 50 at night at it's lowest when it's "cooler", just to give you an idea of where I am at.

Without rain (we aren't sure what to do yet for when it rains, tbh) my 1.5 through 3.5 week old chicks are just fine outside, with a brooding plate they can use if they so wish.

Last night, for most of the night, they just had a cuddle puddle completely away from the heating plate. They were up at dawn, eating, even the tiny ones with barely any feathers. (Also, as an aside, I don't know why people say Down is a bad insulator. That's patently absurd, as we cannot even make a synthetic that is as good and perfect as Down as an insulator. What do y'all think people who climb Mount Everest wear?! They don't use synthetics, they use Down!)

I am suspect, at this point, of saying 2 week old chicks need 90 degree weather 24/7

I think they say that for safety's sake for all chick breeds.

 

[Debbie292d]

I am suspect, at this point, of saying 2 week old chicks need 90 degree weather 24/7

I think they say that for safety's sake for all chick breeds.

The first thing most of us will ask when someone posts about sick chicks is, "What temperature are they at?" The guideline is just a recommendation by most chick experts, as are other things we may or may not agree with.

Once we observe our chickens and see how they are doing, we change for them.

I combed through and didn't see anyone saying that down was a horrible insulator so not sure who told you that. To the contrary, I used to catch guff on FB because we heat our coop (40F). I've gotten parroted the old, "they're wearing down coats and don't need heat" speech a number of times. I avoid FB unless I'm selling chicks.

 

[chicken-tender]

The first thing most of us will ask when someone posts about sick chicks is, "What temperature are they at?" The guideline is just a recommendation by most chick experts, as are other things we may or may not agree with.

Once we observe our chickens and see how they are doing, we change for them.

I combed through and didn't see anyone saying that down was a horrible insulator so not sure who told you that. To the contrary, I used to catch guff on FB because we heat our coop (40F). I've gotten parroted the old, "they're wearing down coats and don't need heat" speech a number of times. I avoid FB unless I'm selling chicks.

Just 'cause I don't know, What is "FB" ?