Do they still need a Heat Lamp

[Princess Lay- A]

I have 4 week old chicks that do not have a light during the day and are eating and acting fine. My questions are do they still need a heat lamp if the room they are in never goes below 60 degrees? they have been going out during the day for a couple of hours ( i keep them in the coop everyday for 1- 2 hours then let them out into the run. Will they know to go back to the coop at night when I let them out at 6 weeks?
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[Tookie]

I think they'll be fine, but do what you are comfortable with. It won't hurt to still use a heat lamp. It is said though that you can decrease the temperature by 5 degrees every week. So for 4 week olds, they'd be fine with 75 degrees Fahrenheit. But they can go lower and be totally alright.

Your chicks may or may not know to go back into the coop so you'll have to see. Eventually they will learn. I would say they will know, but again, you'll have to try it out and see.

 

[The Welch Chickens]

I have 4 week old chicks that do not have a light during the day and are eating and acting fine. My questions are do they still need a heat lamp if the room they are in never goes below 60 degrees?

I would try removing the heat lamp and keeping an eye on them...if they look cold, you can turn it back on.
This temperature chart might be helpful:

Will they know to go back to the coop at night when I let them out at 6 weeks?

Maybe, maybe not. It really depends on the individual chicks and whether they copy what their flockmates are doing. I've had some learn right away, and others that I've had to pluck from the rafters of our run and place on the coop roosting bars
They will eventually learn, but you may have to help them out for a little while before they do.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Temperature wise they should be fine assuming you have healthy standard chicks.

Depending on what the coop set up is like they may or may not readily go in at 6 weeks. Sounds like you're already having them spend some time in it beforehand - are they exploring the coop when you let them out into the run, or do they never return to it on their own? If the coop is big enough and well ventilated enough you can lock them in there for a week or so before giving run access and that may help home them to the coop.

 

[Sic]

I have 4 week old chicks that do not have a light during the day and are eating and acting fine. My questions are do they still need a heat lamp if the room they are in never goes below 60 degrees? they have been going out during the day for a couple of hours ( i keep them in the coop everyday for 1- 2 hours then let them out into the run. Will they know to go back to the coop at night when I let them out at 6 weeks?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/profile-posts/219204/bookmark

How many chicks? I usually have 15-25 chicks at a time, use a brooder plate which is removed when they are about 3 weeks and they are raised in the coop with outside lows and highs mid 30s to 40s. If you only have a couple, less than six, you might want to have a heat source for them at night for a week or two more. They will typically go into the coop at dusk if they know the coop is where they sleep.

 

[Princess Lay- A]

How many chicks? I usually have 15-25 chicks at a time, use a brooder plate which is removed when they are about 3 weeks and they are raised in the coop with outside lows and highs mid 30s to 40s. If you only have a couple, less than six, you might want to have a heat source for them at night for a week or two more. They will typically go into the coop at dusk if they know the coop is where they sleep.

I have 6 chicks

 

[yakitori]

Personally i find 60F plenty warm for most breeds. Im not sure if silkies, frizzles or NNs would need extra care. My 8 chicks have been off heat since 3 weeks, room temp 50s at night and they went outside during the day when its in the 40s. since last week(5wo) they've been outside in the 30s during day and night. By outside I mean covered outdoors and protected from the elements with access to draft free coop.

One thing to note, my chicks grew up in a fairly cold brooder environment outside of the brooding plate. but if yours have been in nothing but a brooder with consistent high temps, they should be acclimated to cooler temps over a few days.

 

[C Siena]

I'm jumping in on this thread instead of beginning a new one. Our 6 chicks are 1 month/4.5 weeks, nicely feathered. They have been in the garage, temp 50-60 with MHP but no one used it. Some sat on top, I think to be at the highest point but usually remained 2' away by the food and water.
I moved a large cage into a coop with nine 10 month olds. It is supposed to be mid 50s (53-55) tonight. Do they "need" a heat source? Instead of a MHP, maybe extra straw? or a box sideways with straw? Thanks

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm jumping in on this thread instead of beginning a new one. Our 6 chicks are 1 month/4.5 weeks, nicely feathered. They have been in the garage, temp 50-60 with MHP but no one used it. Some sat on top, I think to be at the highest point but usually remained 2' away by the food and water.
I moved a large cage into a coop with nine 10 month olds. It is supposed to be mid 50s (53-55) tonight. Do they "need" a heat source? Instead of a MHP, maybe extra straw? or a box sideways with straw? Thanks

They don't need it (as proven by the fact that they stopped using their heat pad in similar temps inside) but if it makes you feel better to provide them with extra bedding or a huddle box, it does no harm to do so.

 

[C Siena]

They don't need it (as proven by the fact that they stopped using their heat pad in similar temps inside) but if it makes you feel better to provide them with extra bedding or a huddle box, it does no harm to do so.

Nope, I was good to go as they are...then thought...I better ask the professionals, such as rosemarythyme and Frost Ranger and of course many others. Thanks. There is plenty of straw for them to hunker down. Now to run (as best I can) to close a window as the rain just came in and I do Not want them wet. Thanks again.