Brooder to Coop

[Puppyheart8305]

Hi i have 6 Brahma chicks that are about 4 1/2 weeks old. I am wondering how to introduce them to their new coop. It it about 40-60 degrees(Fahrenheit) and it is expected to get colder than 30 degrees at night. We have a heat lamp on them right now in the nighttime. Please help.

 

[steiggy]

My littles are 6 weeks old. I brooded them in my heated garage, and took them completely off the lamp at 4 weeks of age. It stays about 50-55 degrees in my garage. Last week, I started putting their brooder box outside for a few hours when it was sunny to get them acclimated to the cooler temps. They moved out to the coop last Friday, and we have had some COLD temps (it was 24 degrees when I got up). They've got a very deep layer of straw and were snuggled up. Once they get all of their feathers, they should be fine heading outdoors.

 

[Chickassan]

You need to stop putting the heat lamp on them for a few nights so they can get accustomed to not having it before you completly transition them to the coop. After that they shouldn't need it anymore.

 

[aart]

Where is the brooder located?
If inside your house, close room off and start opening windows to get them used to the cooler temps.

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.