About time to remove the heat plate?

[NightingaleJen]

Our nine chicks are 3.5 weeks old and feathering out nicely, with a couple exceptions (the smallest birds, of course, though they are catching up quickly). They have been brooding in the coop since their arrival; we had some unnervingly cool nights (low to mid-50s) for a nervous second-time chick mama, which may have helped with the feathering out.

I do occasionally see a chick duck beneath the plate during the day, but rarely for more than a few moments. They do seem to still mostly sleep beneath the plate with their heads poking out (though of course tonight a few were sleeping on top of the plate, as it was warmer today).

We are expecting more seasonable temperatures again this weekend, 82 tomorrow, 88 Sunday, 87 Monday. Nighttime temps are forecast to be in the low 70s.

Would turning the plate off in the morning then switching it back on at night be good? Despite lots of ventilation, since the coop does get evening and afternoon sun, it can get warm in there.

I've attached a video of most of the chicks from this afternoon so you all can see the level of feathering.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can turn it off in day, on at night if you want, but they're probably good to go without it at this point. If you want to ease the transition, you can turn off the plate permanently but leave it in for a few days, so they have the security of having it there before you remove it for good.

 

[NightingaleJen]

You can turn it off in day, on at night if you want, but they're probably good to go without it at this point. If you want to ease the transition, you can turn off the plate permanently but leave it in for a few days, so they have the security of having it there before you remove it for good.

That was my plan, but wanted to be sure I was doing the right thing. Thank you!

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Our nine chicks are 3.5 weeks old and feathering out nicely, with a couple exceptions (the smallest birds, of course, though they are catching up quickly). They have been brooding in the coop since their arrival; we had some unnervingly cool nights (low to mid-50s) for a nervous second-time chick mama, which may have helped with the feathering out.

I do occasionally see a chick duck beneath the plate during the day, but rarely for more than a few moments. They do seem to still mostly sleep beneath the plate with their heads poking out (though of course tonight a few were sleeping on top of the plate, as it was warmer today).

We are expecting more seasonable temperatures again this weekend, 82 tomorrow, 88 Sunday, 87 Monday. Nighttime temps are forecast to be in the low 70s.

Would turning the plate off in the morning then switching it back on at night be good? Despite lots of ventilation, since the coop does get evening and afternoon sun, it can get warm in there.

I've attached a video of most of the chicks from this afternoon so you all can see the level of feathering.

Recess is my favorite part of the day! Field trips outside next?

 

[NightingaleJen]

Recess is my favorite part of the day! Field trips outside next?

Actually...they are growing so insanely fast I am already thinking integration. *clutches pearls*

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Photos please, I think I show up for the pics only!

 

[NightingaleJen]

Photos please, I think I show up for the pics only!

There are some in my thread about it! I figure if people are going to help, you might as well try to reward them with a few chicken pictures.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ating-4-5-week-chicks-with-2yo-flock.1546526/