Can we move outside yet?

[willr]

Hi, new chick owner here! I have had these guys since Easter, I am not sure how old they are. The guy I bought them from said about a week but I don't think he really knew. That makes them at least 3 weeks old. They are inside under a heat lamp but it is pretty high. I could keep them inside but I fear they have outgrown their space. There are 7 inside this small water trough and one has started plucking feathers from her friends! Otherwise they seem happy, eating drinking chasing each other in circles etc. I am thinking that they need more space. I built this 5x5 coop and it is pretty draft free. I can run a heat lamp to it. Based on previous posts I would assume this is a fine place for them except that I am in northern VT and its still pretty cold here. Getting into the 30's at night 40's-60's day. It is warming up and the forecast has a bunch of 40+ nights coming up but 38 tonight. If I do put them out with the lamp should I close all the windows? The coop is pretty tight, its made from old barn wood so there are a few small cracks and knot holes. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

It would be good if you could set up a heat lamp out there and record how low the temperature drops inside the coop during the night. Those little ones don't look fully featherd out, and I'd be very nervous. At three weeks of age, they are supposed to be at about 80 degrees. A bigger brooder may be a better solution. A large dog crate or one of those puppy play pens works well if you can borrow one from a friend.

 

[debid]

Put them in the coop with the lamp in a corner on the same wall as the pop door. Meaning wind blowing in that won't be blowing right on them. Don't close it up tight, though. Ventilation is important. They will LOVE it!

BTW, I brood outdoors in a small, secure coop. The pop door is open at one week. I might be further south but I do this in early spring when temps are still diving into the twenties normally (teens occasionally). As long as they have the heat lamp, wind protection, and you keep the water near enough the heat that it won't freeze, all is well. You might be surprised by how much time they spend outside once they get past the fear of the big world. When the sun is shining, especially!

 

[Folly's place]

Mine moved to the coop at three weeks. I have windows for ventilation way above their level, and covered the west window with plastic. The 250w heat lamp is about 18" above the litter (maybe slightly higher??) WELL SECURED!!! near a corner, so a range of available temps. They wander around and come back for warmth. I like to see chicks resting at the outside edges of the cone of heat, NOT piling up under it, or off in the far corners. Mary

 

[debid]

It would be good if you could set up a heat lamp out there and record how low the temperature drops inside the coop during the night.  Those little ones don't look fully featherd out, and I'd be very nervous.  At three weeks of age, they are supposed to be at about 80 degrees.  A bigger brooder may be a better solution.  A large dog crate or one of those puppy play pens works well if you can borrow one from a friend.    

The entire brooder SHOULDN'T be 80 or the chicks won't be able to regulate their body temperature. Cooler air is just as important as the heated space and it really is OK if the cooler space is downright cold. They will move nearer to the heat as needed.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

The entire brooder SHOULDN'T be 80 or the chicks won't be able to regulate their body temperature. Cooler air is just as important as the heated space and it really is OK if the cooler space is downright cold. They will move nearer to the heat as needed.

Yes, that is a more correct answer. I should have stated that there should be a space near the heat lamp where the chicks can get to 80 degrees. I agree that the entire brooder does not need to be at that temperature.

I also know where the phrase "hover like a mother hen" came from. I'm a worrier. I moved my 4 week old Freedom Rangers out of the garage brooder two nights ago into a draft free coop where I had a secure heat lamp. I had nightmares all night I swear. I dreampt that the coop caught on fire and I woke and looked out the window, went back to sleep and dreampt that there was an ice storm and a window blew off and all the chicks froze. Every time the dog barked I was sure a predator had broken in. By morning I was asking myself why I submit myself to so much stress for a hobby. But after the second night, all is well and I start contemplating my next purchase.