7 week old chicks cold tolerance

[Jrcf1985]

I know there are posts discussing this but I wanted to explain our exact situation and have specific feedback-

We have 7 week old chicks from a local farm store in western Massachusetts. They've been raised inside. We haven't had the heat lamp on for them for a couples weeks as it is generally 65-70° in our home. They (and we) are ready to go outside to their new home. Being spring, there is a large flux in temperature. The lows over the next few days are between 40 and 50. The question is this- will they need supplemental heat sources or are they fine to go directly outside in the brand new, non-drafty coop? Thank you!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

If they have feathers they are ready for the coop.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Which is to say, at those temps they will be perfectly fine. I am getting 8 week olds in a couple weeks and I will be putting them straight in the coop with similar nighttime temps.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If they get cold they will huddle together to stay warm.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Mine are going out full-time on Monday (I'm nearby in central NH). No supplemental heat needed! I had the same reservations since it's been so wet out.

 

[Jrcf1985]

Mine are going out full-time on Monday (I'm nearby in central NH). No supplemental heat needed! I had the same reservations since it's been so wet out.

It has! And im getting married next weekend! Outside! Fingers crossed for sunshine! Also, hi neighbor!

 

[thecatumbrella]

It has! And im getting married next weekend! Outside! Fingers crossed for sunshine! Also, hi neighbor!

Congrats!!! Sending sushiney vibes your way

 

[Ridgerunner]

We have 7 week old chicks ................The lows over the next few days are between 40 and 50. The question is this- will they need supplemental heat sources or are they fine to go directly outside in the brand new, non-drafty coop?

Chicks are typically fully feathered at 4 to 5 weeks of age. When they are fully feathered they should be able to handle those temperatures easily. A non-drafty coop means they will not get hit with a cold wind.

I've had chicks 5-1/2 weeks old go through temperatures in the mid 20's Fahrenheit with no supplemental heat. I understand yours have not been acclimated to colder temperatures. At 7 weeks that will not matter.

If you are uncomfortable you can supply supplemental heat as long as you are careful to not start a fire. It will not hurt them as long as they don't get too hot. But that is for your benefit. The chicks will be OK.

 

[berlyannpotter]

Something that we do is check their feet temp. If their feet are cold, we add the light, but remove it as much as possible. We slowly transition ours over a course of a few weeks. Transitioning from a constant heat source to nothing. If you are going to place something in a coop, they have heat plates instead of lamps. Lamps can easily start a fire.