Can I put my chicks in the coop yet?

[diogenes2946]

I'm new to chickens -- first batch of 8 Buff Orpingtons, and they are 4 weeks old. Nighttime temps are 60s & 70s F, daytime up to 90. I know I'm supposed to wait until they are fully feathered, but I wonder with the warm Summer temps if I need to wait that long. Here's a photo.

 

[Kiki]

Yes, if your coop is secure there is no reason to not put them in it.

 

[jbj25]

If you have the means in your coop you can always add a heat lamp for night. Just have it so that they can be under or out from under it if they want.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your temperatures are very good for moving them out. Assuming you're going from the inside of your home or a shed to the coop, you don't even need to acclimate them to temperatures at this point.

 

[NetherLeeFarm]

I think they're likely fine but I agree with @jbj25 that adding a bit of supplement heat for night temps wouldn't hurt and might be best. Even if those temps won't kill them at this age, chilly birds are stressed birds.

Mine tend to go from the brooder to a separated area in the coop at about 3 weeks with a brooder plate. They are now 4 weeks old, and even though we were at 78F today, they occassionally went under the plate to briefly warm up. I don't see signs that they're still sleeping under it, but I can tell it's still being used.

I don't remove all heat until they're around 5-6 weeks. By 6-8 weeks, they're usually roosting with my big girls so heat would be useless.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've had broody hens wean their chicks at 3 weeks in those temperatures. The chicks not only manage the temperatures but can make their way with the rest of the flock. I have a lot of room and the broody hen spent three weeks teaching the other chickens to leave her babies alone. That part of it doesn't work for everyone. But with those temperatures you should have no worries about them getting cold or chilling.

I know people are going to worry anyway but that doesn't mean they have a real reason to worry. Temperaturewise yours will be fine.

 

[diogenes2946]

I think they're likely fine but I agree with @jbj25 that adding a bit of supplement heat for night temps wouldn't hurt and might be best. Even if those temps won't kill them at this age, chilly birds are stressed birds.

Yeah, I was planning on having their brooder plate out there, turned on at first, then later turned off but still present. TBH I'm more worried about heat. The coop is well ventilated, and in shade most of the day, but today and tomorrow are low 80s and I'm going to wait til the next day for safety sake. I know to watch their behavior and if they look too hot I'll bring them back in.