Can I leave my chickens outside in their coop tonight?

[teresaolive]

Hi all,
I'd appreciate any feedback on this. I've never raised chickens before. I hear you can put them in the coop full time between 4-6 weeks. I'm wondering if mine have enough feathers to stay in their coop over night. They are 5 weeks old. I'm really only concerned about one of them. Although they hatched within days of each other, she is the smallest of the bunch and still has some of her downy baby feathers left, mostly on her neck and near her vent. The temp is supposed to get down to 61 degrees tonight. The lowest it will be all week is 54 degrees. I've included some pictures. I'd love to hear some opinions!

 

[sumi]

Form the pic the appear to have enough feathers in to enable them to regulate their body temperatures. What I'd do is leave them in the coop in the evening and watch their behaviour. If they appear comfortable, leave them out, but if huddle very close together for warmth, bring them in for a few more nights.

 

[azygous]

If your chicks have already been weaned off their heat source, which they should have been by now, they should be able to go straight to the coop outdoors with no problems whatsoever.

But, as sumi points out, if they are still using a heat source, they may not be fully weaned and you will need to watch them.

 

[teresaolive]

Thank you for the advice! It helped immensely. I really appreciate it!

 

[sumi]

You're welcome! Just a word of warning though: on that first night outside they are going to yell their little hearts out for you. So don't let them see you, if possible, when checking on them. They'll get used to being outside all night soon, but the first night is always a bit hard.

 

[chickens really]

Have no worries.
They will do great out in the coop.
Now their real lives start.

 

[chickens really]

Have no worries.
They will do great out in the coop.
Now their real lives start.

They wont need heat. Chicks are tough little buggers.
Mine have been in the coop since they were 5 days old.
Four weeks now and off heat with over night temps at 12 degrees.

 

[teresaolive]

You're welcome! Just a word of warning though: on that first night outside they are going to yell their little hearts out for you. So don't let them see you, if possible, when checking on them. They'll get used to being outside all night soon, but the first night is always a bit hard.

Ha! Those buggers! They totally got me that first night. Kept looking at me with big, sorrowful eyes, and cheeping for me until I relented and put them in the garage for the night. I'm such a sucker!!

 

[Casper101Popcor]

They should be perfectly fine. From first glance at the pictures they have plenty feathers. Just make sure to check on them in the morning just in case They remind me exactly of my chickens I used to have!