Another "when to put the chicks outside" question

[happyhens]

The chicks will be 5 weeks old this Thursday. They are currently still in their brooder in the house, but without the heat lamp. They are pretty well feathered out by now, just a little chick fluff left. There are 23 of them, 10 bantams and 13 standard sized breeds. Temps during the day for the next week range between 65*F.-80*F., with night temps down to 47*F. tonight, but warming up into the 50's and 60's at night from there. Will they be ok outside (in the coop) without a heat lamp?

 

[CUDA]

Yes, especially if you have weened them off the light, but they should be fine. I put mine on the ground at 3 weeks with nothing but a barrel all the time, and I live in Michigan. The big thing is keeping them from getting wet. A little trick that works on that is to mist them with water while they are still in the brooder a little bit, as it will get their glands going, and they will preen there feathers so when they hit the ground, the moisture won't be as big of a deal. Good luck!

 

[ebonykawai]

I would keep a heat lamp on at night. 47 to 50 is cold for 5 week olds.