Cold Michigan nights

[Jules63]

I need some advice... My 6 chicks are about 7 weeks old and loving being outside as much as possible. We've been bringing them in the house at night because it's been in the mid 20's overnight. During the day it's been a bit cold (30-45) but they've been doing great! My question is, is it too cold for them at night? I have a red heat lamp inside the coop itself, but the coop design is quite drafty!! Would they be okay overnight with outside temps being in the 20's with that heat lamp inside? I have the lamp set far enough away that it doesn't really get warm...just takes the chill off during the really cold winter nights we have.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

At 7 weeks, they are at the point of not needing additional heat. You can use that heat lamp or not. I truly believe that nonsense about drafts has no basis in fact except for young chicks. At 7 weeks, they are not that tender. They will all hunker down together in a corner somewhere and keep each other warm. If you use a heat source, I'd use something that doesn't produce light like a ceramic heat emitter like those used for reptiles. They need a dark period every day.

 

[Jules63]

At 7 weeks, they are at the point of not needing additional heat. You can use that heat lamp or not. I truly believe that nonsense about drafts has no base in fact. At 7 weeks, they are not that tender. They will all hunker down together in a corner somewhere and keep each other warm. If you use a heat source, I'd use something that doesn't produce light like a ceramic heat emitter like those used for reptiles. They need a dark period every day.

Perfect! Thanks for the info!