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Do you think it is too early to take my chicks out of the brooder?

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by CDennis, Aug 15, 2013.

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  1. Aug 15, 2013 #1
    CDennis

    CDennis Chillin' With My Peeps

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    It's 100 for the high, 60 for the low, they are 3 1/2 weeks old. I haven't had a heat lamp on them in the tack room for over a week but there are younger chicks out there with lights on so it has been staying pretty warm. They are running out of room and I was considering putting them outside in a pen with a covered section. Is it too early with my lows of 60?
     
  3. Aug 15, 2013 #2
    Fred's Hens

    Fred's Hens Chicken Obsessed Premium Member

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    Up North when it's hot, Down South when it's not.
    Where chicks are brooded is irrelevant. What matters is a proper environment and safety.

    If you can provide that, then the where is unimportant. 3 1/2 week chicks are very, very close to not needing any supplemental warmth, not in those temperatures. Certainly, non of the chicks need any added heat when it is over 80-85 ambient temps.
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2013
  5. Aug 15, 2013 #3
    angel8035

    angel8035 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Can you hang a heat lamp in the pen so they can still go under it if they are cold? The rule is that you supplement heat until they are fully feathered, usually around 6 weeks.
     
  7. Aug 15, 2013 #4
    viktoriacl

    viktoriacl Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I started putting my 3 1/2 week olds out Tuesday. They are out all day with a rubbermaid container on it's side with shaving if they feel chilly. It's been in the eighty's this week. I bring them in at night because it does get into the 60's. I feel that's too cold for not being fully feathered out.
     
  9. Aug 15, 2013 #5
    CDennis

    CDennis Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Thank you. And I'll make sure they have a heat lamp at night for a few weeks longer. Thank you!
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2013

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