Chicks not using heating plate.

[Broncos52]

Hello, my baby chicks are just a little over 4 weeks old. I noticed when i went out into the garage they were huddled in the corner of the box and not using the plate. They were not chirping and have noticed them again like that tonight (pic attached) its about 50 degrees in there at night. Maybe a tad colder. Is there something wrong or do they just not need the heating source anymore?

 

[DogAndCat36]

Hello, my baby chicks are just a little over 4 weeks old. I noticed when i went out into the garage they were huddled in the corner of the box and not using the plate. They were not chirping and have noticed them again like that tonight (pic attached) its about 50 degrees in there at night. Maybe a tad colder. Is there something wrong or do they just not need the heating source anymore?

Is the plate raised enough for them to go under it? I never used a plate before.

 

[Broncos52]

Is the plate raised enough for them to go under it? I never used a plate before.

Yea they run right under no problem

 

[nuthatched]

They could be too hot under there, so they're trying to get away.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Hello, my baby chicks are just a little over 4 weeks old. I noticed when i went out into the garage they were huddled in the corner of the box and not using the plate. They were not chirping and have noticed them again like that tonight (pic attached) its about 50 degrees in there at night. Maybe a tad colder. Is there something wrong or do they just not need the heating source anymore?

At that age and those temps, they don’t need heat anymore. I would acclimate them for another week or so without heat, then they can go outside. They look almost fully feathered.

 

[DogAndCat36]

I usually keep the heat lamp on until they start to jump on the feeders, avoid the heat, and are around 4-5 weeks old. Then I unhook the heat lamp each day and hook it back up when they start to huddle. After about 2 days I bring them out to graze supervised. After about 4 days of that, I put them in the coop for 2 days and let them roam supervised. When they grow enough to not be raven feed I let them free range.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They don't need the heat anymore. If you're nervous about yanking it out, take it out during the day and put it back in at night, but they're probably going to continue ignoring it.