Brooder to Coop-When?

[ChcknLady]

Ok I know I'm jumping the gun but I like to be prepared. I know I should lock them in the coop at first to establish a "home" but do they still need the lamp in the coop? My coop isn't set up for electric yet. I've heard 4-5 weeks is a good age to transfer them from brooder to coop, is that so even if they won't have a lamp. I suppose I could rig something up if I had to?

 

[hensonly]

They need to have real feathers to stay warm (depending on where you are), both day and night...it sounds like you don't have a lamp that can be set up easily. You don't want burned chicks or a fire, so be careful about rigging things up.

Mine went out at 6 weeks, but could have gone sooner. I think you're on target with 4 -5 weeks. Some people bring in a shallow pan of dirt from the coop and put it in the brooder with the chicks, so they can start adjusting to the conditions they'll have outside. It also gives them a chance to scratch and peck in real dirt, which they love.

I'm sure you'll get lots more answers from people lots more experienced than I, but it sounds like you're doing ok.

Good luck!

 

[Mahonri]

I would think they would need a lamp in cooler climbs until they are at least 9 weeks.

 

[cmom]

I put my chicks out in their coop at 4 weeks with a heat lamp. I ran an extension cord out to the coop. At 8 weeks they are pretty well feathered out and shouldn't need the lamp especially if you have enough birds to keep each other warm when they roost.

 

[debilorrah]

We put ours out at 8 weeks and keep the lamp o nthem until they are fully feathered out.