Can I put chicks outside in these temps?

[KRack]

I think I remember they can go out around 3 weeks when they’re more fully feathered. I do the mama hen heating pad set up for the brooder. I take that out there for them. The temperature is still getting down in the 20s at night and in the 50s-60s during the day. They’re two weeks old now. Am I remembering correctly? Is 3 weeks the recommended time?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Daytime with option of a heating pad should be fine. The nights would be a wee bit chilly for my tastes, though some folks would probably say it's ok provided they have a draft free, dry area to huddle in.

 

[KRack]

Daytime with option of a heating pad should be fine. The nights would be a wee bit chilly for my tastes, though some folks would probably say it's ok provided they have a draft free, dry area to huddle in.

Thank you! If I keep my house 70-72 degrees, could they go without the heating pad set up at 3 weeks or so? I’ve read some people get rid of additional heat around 10 days. I’ve never tried anything like that but was curious about it.

I want them to have some time outside, but I don’t want to transition the heating pad in and out daily. So I can wait until it warms up at night if that’s safer!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I want them to have some time outside, but I don’t want to transition the heating pad in and out daily.

Several of us brood in the coop straight out of the incubator or from the post office even if the outside temperature is below freezing. As long as you can keep a spot warm enough in the coldest temperatures and a spot cool enough in the warmest temperatures it works great. If you set up the Mama Heating Pad correctly it can work.

I assume you have read this thread.

Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens

 

[KRack]

Several of us brood in the coop straight out of the incubator or from the post office even if the outside temperature is below freezing. As long as you can keep a spot warm enough in the coldest temperatures and a spot cool enough in the warmest temperatures it works great. If you set up the Mama Heating Pad correctly it can work.

I assume you have read this thread.

Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens

I did! That’s where I learned to make mine. It does get to 90 under the heating pad, I just didn’t know how it would fare in such cold temperatures. I think I might give it a try next week when temps aren’t below 30. And likely not sleep at all that first night.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! If I keep my house 70-72 degrees, could they go without the heating pad set up at 3 weeks or so?

At those temps they'll be fine without added heat.

 

[Iriegirl]

If you read most chicken/chicken car books, chick's should be started at 95-100°, then decrease at a max of 5° per week. At 3 weeks, they should be kept at 80-85°. Your home without extra heat would be too cold at 70°.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you read most chicken/chicken car books, chick's should be started at 95-100°, then decrease at a max of 5° per week. At 3 weeks, they should be kept at 80-85°. Your home without extra heat would be too cold at 70°.

Those are general guidelines meant for commercial settings. Practical experience says otherwise, and I disagree with the ranges listed - at higher temperatures the rate of pasty butt increases.

I've had no issue having 4 week old chicks off heat and living outdoors in the 40s.

 

[RoyalChick]

If you read most chicken/chicken car books, chick's should be started at 95-100°, then decrease at a max of 5° per week. At 3 weeks, they should be kept at 80-85°. Your home without extra heat would be too cold at 70°.

I have read that too but in my experience it is nonsense.
They must have somewhere to go to warm up (I use a heat plate) but don’t need to be in a warm room.
I put mine outside in the coop at about a week old. Last time I got chicks there was a surprise cold snap with temps well below freezing the day after they were moved outside. I fully expected to find them all dead. Instead they were zipping around in the cold having a glorious time. They would dash under the plate to warm up for maybe a minute and then back out to enjoy the fun.
Eventually they exhausted themselves and all piled under the plate for a nap.

 

[KRack]

If you read most chicken/chicken car books, chick's should be started at 95-100°, then decrease at a max of 5° per week. At 3 weeks, they should be kept at 80-85°. Your home without extra heat would be too cold at 70°.

My chicks had been avoiding going under the heat when I put it at the “recommended” temperature. So I lowered it to 80 at the beginning of their 2nd week and they started going under it at night when the temperature lowered in my house. I checked on them this morning and they were on top of it or beside it to sleep, I’ll lower it to room temperature (70-71 generally) and see how they do.

The reason I started this thread was because they didn’t seem to be needing the heat as much as I read they would. And I want them outside as soon as possible for all the benefits there are for them.