5 week old Silkie chicks.. do they need heat lamp?

[kimmom]

Hi ! We just got 4 , 5 week old Chinese Silkies. They were raised by a broody Mom and were just seperated. WIll they need a heat lamp at night? They are in a dog kennel with shavings etc.. We live in Canada on the west coast, nights have been down to about 1 degree Celsius last few nights
Any advice?? Thanks!

 

[vpeterson]

I would turn on a heat lamp in your coop at night. That is what I am doing with a 4 week old silkie chick. During the day he is fine but I turn the heat lamp on in there at night.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

My silkies enjoyed a light bulb on in the coop at night until they were 6 weeks old, and that was in August. They just looked cold and miserable when I tried having the light off at 5 weeks.

 

[kimmom]

I think I may just bring them inside for the night since it is unusually cold this week and our heat lamp is being used not where the chicks are. Do you think after 6 weeks old they should be OK outside? Or if I slowly get them used to being outside longer in the evening..