Chicks in the cold

[fdehaven]

Ok its 510am and this is the second night out for the chicks. It's 34 out now and the temp in the coop (about 4 feet from the heat lamp) says 40.
The chicks are up walking around a bit and then go under the lamp (250 watt ). Will they be ok with this or should I bring them back inside? They seem happy prunning around chirping here and there. Not sure what to do. If something happens to them I think I will be the next one taking up residency in the coop cause the wife will kill me...........

 

[Steve B]

It would help to know how old they are.

But, based on their behavior they sound fine. Are they protected from the wind and the rain?

 

[fdehaven]

Sorry...
They are 2 1/2 weels old they are in a coop. Difinitely no draft there. They seem fine they run around, eat, drink look fine but being new to this I am just not sure. Want to make sure they are living a good healthy life.

 

[Jen71]

I'm pretty sure that chicks that small still need a constant temperature up around the 80s - day and night.
They don't have all their feathers yet, and can't keep warm on their own.

I am not a chicken expert.
But if it was me, I would be bringing those babies inside until they have all their feathers or the weather warms up a bit.

 

[sourland]

As long as they are not piled in a corner cheeping away, they are warm enough.

 

[jawinder]

Lower the light bulb down close to the floor, so that it is warm enough right under the light (yep, probably 80). It may need to be a foot or 2 from the ground. If you see them all huddled under the light, they are too cold, lower the light some more. If they roam freely they are fine. If they stay away from the light, raise it up a bit, it's too hot.
Just be sure that the light is sturdy, and cannot be knocked down, because it could start a fire.