Baby Chicks outside?

[sillyovrsilkies]

Quick question...
I have an empty small coop (holds 8-10 bantams) which I could use to raise chicks. Since our temps are ranging from 90-100 degrees daily, would I be able to raise chicks in this coop without a light on them?

 

[HEChicken]

You could probably get away with that during the day but what about at night? What are the temps dropping to? You might need to supplement heat for day old chicks at night to keep it around 95.

 

[sillyovrsilkies]

The temps aren't dropping much...in the 80's...
I was just trying to think of a good way to raise chicks other than in my garage. Hubby doesn't like it b/c the chicken dust is horrible and my van has to take it's parking spot outside until the chickens are old enough to go to coop!

 

[nurseshelly]

Quote:
I keep mine outside, but at night if it will be below the recommended temp, I put a heat lamp on one side that they can use if they want to. Usually it is still hot enough that they just sleep somewhere else, but one night it was only 80 and they were loving the lamp.

 

[sillyovrsilkies]

Quote:
I keep mine outside, but at night if it will be below the recommended temp, I put a heat lamp on one side that they can use if they want to. Usually it is still hot enough that they just sleep somewhere else, but one night it was only 80 and they were loving the lamp.

Okay...easy enough...thanks!

 

[muscolorp]

We live in south Mississippi and have our bitties outside every day and night since day one with no problem with temperature. We do not put a light on them but they are being raised by one of our hens which is doing an excellent job with them. If you have a good mother hen, I would recommend you use her to take care of them.