chicks and lamps

[mwells6chicks]

I have 6 new chicks that are now about 3 weeks old, maybe going more into 4 weeks. I got them 2 weeks ago at the local Agway. Anyway, I'm amazed at how fast they are growing and how fast their feathers are coming in. I have them in a box with a lamp in my basement. I was wondering how long I need to keep them under a lamp. Temps outside are in 50's and hopefully the weather will start getting warmer. I'm in NJ and spring keeps trying to start but then we get a cold front. I'm preparing a new coop for them outside and I was originally thinking first week of May I could put them out, but now I'm wondering if it could be sooner. My basement is really starting to reek even after cleaning the bedding 2x/week.
I'd appreciate some advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bobbi-j]

Yeah, it's too late for this little bit of advice, but I'm going to say it anyway (I'm a mom - I can't help myself

Now that I have that out of my system... You can move your chicks out to a coop, garage, or shed at any time. They will still need heat, especially at night. You will know how much by watching them. If they crowd around the lamp, they're too cold - lower it. If they are crowding away from it, they're too hot - raise it. If they're peeping softly, napping, eating and drinking and seeming content, you've got it just right. Ideally, they will have enough room to be able to come and go under the heat lamp as necessary. The last time I raised chicks, we had them in the coop at less than a week old. The brooder was a piece of 8" lawn edging. I had two lamps, hung at different heights, and room for them to self-adjust. This was in MN in April. The temps were in the mid to lower 40's at night.

 

[bobbi-j]

Here are a couple of not-so-good pictures of my setup, but hopefully it will give you an idea of what it looks like.