Chicks and cool temps

[fototek1]

My Chicks are now fully feathered, 6 weeks old and I have them in their coop with a heat lamp at night when the temp gets cool. I let them outside for the first time over the weekend and they seemed to love it. Today it is cool (about 50 degrees). I went out this morning to give them some treats and they wanted to go outside. Are they smart enough to know if it is to cold for them? Should I let them out if they want to go out? I am leaving the heat lamp on in the coop today.

Also looks like I may have a rooster or 2. One of them is a great looking bird with a red comb, small waddles, and shiny feathers. None of them are crowing at this point and they are friendly! We spend at least one hour/day with the chicks picking them up, feeding them treats and just hanging out.

 

[Morgan7782]

I would think they would know when they are too chilled. I have read many stories on here about chicks who wait at the run gate to go inside when they had enough outside time. Or they huddle together, even outside, for body warmth. When I had my first chicks outside, it was the start of winter, and they definately knew where their 'coop' and heat light were, and after pecking experiementally at the snow they made a run for the warmth. If they have access to go outside, and then go to the heat light when they need it, I would think they would. Instinct is an awesome thing