I have 13 chicks that are 10 days old, flying in the brooders (split between two). I've already lowered them away from the heat once a few days ago, and already notice them occasionally sleeping at the opposite end of the brooder. I read a lot of recommendations for putting them out at 6 weeks. Can I put them out sooner if I put a heat lamp in the coop? The high is supposed to be 70 this weekend, but then get cold next week with one day forecasted to be 54 / 37.
Outside at 37 degrees, probably not. In a coop with a heat lamp, definitely. I raise chicks in an unheated building with a hover brooder or heat lamp (temp dependent) most of the year except extremely hot weather. They aren't that fragile.
I never have chicks in my house. They all go into an outdoor coop/brooder from day one. We use a heat box rather than just a lamp but we have always been raising 50-100 at a time. Anyway, an outdoor coop with a heat lamp should be perfectly fine.
What they said. If you'd had a broody hen hatch out these guys, they'd be outside and doing great. Just be very careful with your heat lamp in the coop, make sure it's double or triple secured to prevent fire.
