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.

 

[Iluveggers]

I am hoping to move my 5 week olds outside this weekend to the big hen coop. I have a removable barrier in the run with an attached dog crate. I usually open the dog crate door into the sectioned area, let them explore all day, and they put themselves back in the crate when the adults head into the coop. Then I lift the crate into the coop so they can safely sleep inside with the adults. Put the dog crate back out in the morning and repeat. Trains them to go into the coop once they get fully integrated.

However i usually do this in the summer. Highs in the next week are around 50. Low at night close to 30. I thought maybe I would put the brooder plate, but I need the only plug to keep the water thawed through the night. Thoughts? They have been brooding in the garage which has stayed in the 50s, and spend the majority of the day jumping on their roosts, dust bathing in the shavings, or exploring the garage when I let them out for recess.