Brooding in the coop

[AshleeW]

I am new to chicks, I have a few that are 3 weeks old and 2 that are 5 weeks. They are currently in my house and starting to become smelly lol

My coop is officially done and I have 2 heat plates. They are fine during the day and then at 7pm. Then they start a high pitch cry and try to crawl under my 5 week olds. What can I do to transition them? Would you do a garage space heater to keep it warmer? I have bringing them inside every night at 7pm lol located in Bellevue Nebraska weather is ranging from 30-85 depending on the day.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the plates are rated to work under 50F you can just move them permanently into the coop with the plates (for the younger birds).

 

[Ridgerunner]

They are fine during the day and then at 7pm. Then they start a high pitch cry and try to crawl under my 5 week olds.

Is that when it gets dark? If they are not used to the dark it can upset them for a while. They will soon get used to it.

 

[McChooky]

Sounds like your heat plates aren't rated for low temperatures at night.If you can't find a better way to provide them heat t night you'll have to bring them inside at night.My ceramic bulbs are only 100 watt which isn't warm enough for temps in the 30's so mine are still inside.My chicks aren't ready for temps in the 30s yet

 

[debid]

I am new to chicks, I have a few that are 3 weeks old and 2 that are 5 weeks. They are currently in my house and starting to become smelly lol

My coop is officially done and I have 2 heat plates. They are fine during the day and then at 7pm. Then they start a high pitch cry and try to crawl under my 5 week olds. What can I do to transition them? Would you do a garage space heater to keep it warmer? I have bringing them inside every night at 7pm lol located in Bellevue Nebraska weather is ranging from 30-85 depending on the day.

Chicks get loud at sunset as they must make sure they load their crops and find somewhere that feels safe to sleep. A new environment will trigger that concern about somewhere safe to sleep all over again. If they have had a heat plate all all along and prefer to snuggle with each other rather than going under the plate, that tells me they are warm enough, it's just the newness that is freaking them out. After a couple nights in the new place, they should decide that it's home and (because they haven't died yet) that it's safe.

 

[AshleeW]

Thank you guys!