Acclimating Chicks to coop

[David1973100]

My chicks are only 4 weeks old so they have a few more weeks to go. I have read the other threads on this issue but my idea is to use a heat lamp with a heat monitor to start and stop. My house stays at 70 degrees so I’ll start there then lower it a degree every day till I get to the night time temp. I also plan on letting them into the run after two or three days in the coop. Any thoughts on this? I’ve never had chickens before but I haven’t killed any yet even though I’ve made a few mistakes and really want them to make it. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Dragonwolfmastr]

I would advise a heat lamp at night in the coop until they are 2 months old unless you have a hen to keep them warm. Too cold can be death for chicks. Try to keep it warm until they can survive in normal temp.

Mine stopped needing a heat lamp at 2mo, and could go in the run at 2 weeks with close supervision.

 

[Aapomp831]

My chicks are only 4 weeks old so they have a few more weeks to go. I have read the other threads on this issue but my idea is to use a heat lamp with a heat monitor to start and stop. My house stays at 70 degrees so I’ll start there then lower it a degree every day till I get to the night time temp. I also plan on letting them into the run after two or three days in the coop. Any thoughts on this? I’ve never had chickens before but I haven’t killed any yet even though I’ve made a few mistakes and really want them to make it. Thanks for any advice.

Chicks shouldn’t go outside until they are ready to be without a heat lamp. I do not advise them in coops; it’s way too much of a fire hazard. When they are fully feathered they are ready to go out and use their own down and feathers to keep them warm. Long story short - need lamp, not ready for outside.

 

[tsperry88]

What are your nightly temps? Is the floor of your coop mostly draft free? I have the same heat plate you have in your picture and put my latest ones in a fenced off section of the coop at 4 weeks. My nightly lowes are upper 50s. I would not suggest doing what I did if you have any drafts.

These are my 3 age groups. The little ones sleep under the heat plate. The middle ones sleep on top. The big girls own the rest of the coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As you already have a heat plate adding a heat lamp is unnecessary. What are you outdoor temperatures right now, hi and lo? At 4 weeks, mine would be completely off heat and outdoors (as I raise them outdoors).

 

[David1973100]

What are your nightly temps? Is the floor of your coop mostly draft free? I have the same heat plate you have in your picture and put my latest ones in a fenced off section of the coop at 4 weeks. My nightly lowes are upper 50s. I would not suggest doing what I did if you have any drafts.

These are my 3 age groups. The little ones sleep under the heat plate. The middle ones sleep on top. The big girls own the rest of the coop.

Right now during the day in the upper 70s even though this week were not getting out of the upper 60s At night it’s been getting down to the mid 40s. My coop is draft free.

 

[David1973100]

I would advise a heat lamp at night in the coop until they are 2 months old unless you have a hen to keep them warm. Too cold can be death for chicks. Try to keep it warm until they can survive in normal temp.

Mine stopped needing a heat lamp at 2mo, and could go in the run at 2 weeks with close supervision.

I’m just worried where it is getting down in the 40s at night. That’s quite a difference then what their use to. I think I’m gonna put a camera in there to check on them. Thanks

 

[rosemarythyme]

Right now during the day in the upper 70s even though this week were not getting out of the upper 60s At night it’s been getting down to the mid 40s. My coop is draft free.

Instead of adding more heat, start weaning them off heat now. They can probably go out by end of next week without issue.

 

[David1973100]

Chicks shouldn’t go outside until they are ready to be without a heat lamp. I do not advise them in coops; it’s way too much of a fire hazard. When they are fully feathered they are ready to go out and use their own down and feathers to keep them warm. Long story short - need lamp, not ready for outside.

I thought the temperature change might be too great for them. It will be a 30 degree difference from what their use to even after they get all their feathers. I really don’t wanna use a heat lamp. Thanks

 

[tsperry88]

I thought the temperature change might be too great for them. It will be a 30 degree difference from what their use to even after they get all their feathers. I really don’t wanna use a heat lamp. Thanks

Without drafts the little heater does good. With drafts it's not good at all. An issue you may have is that they won't all fit under it much longer, but they will snuggle together.