First Night in the Coop...Tonight?

[yakibert]

I just started my 3-4 week old chicks outside with a heat lamp and as draft free and I can figure it to be. It's only in the low 50s here. Yesterday, I had them out there for a few hours. Today, the whole day and bring in at night. Tomorrow, they're out permanently. They seem to like it. Much more room for them and they have the heat lamp to go under.

 

[bobchristenson]

Whew. They survived (umm, and so did I

I did "chicken out" though, and left a heater in there for them. It got down to 35 here last night but with the heater the coop's low was 50. So it was a good compromise I think.

1 night down...horray!

 

[pinkribbons4]

I am so glad your chicks survived their first night, and that you did too! I've been dreading the thought of putting mine out for their first night! So reading your little story here makes me feel a bit better

 

[gapeach717]

I plan on moving the whole batch of mixed ages to the outside coop mid/late april. I am sure I will be a nervous wreck!!

 

[bobchristenson]

Well I have to admit I woke up at 3am and went to check on them I was actually really surprised not to see them all huddled under the light. They were all just off to the sides a bit, which told me they were plenty warm.

Glad sharing my story helped...Its nice to have a place to be a 'crazy chicken person' with other crazy chicken people

 

[Nslangton]

Good thread. Mine are about 5 weeks and in a heated coop. I have probably had the heat at about 80 since they were born. First I was nervous about taking away the heat lamp until I saw my first chick "pant" then I took it away. I still have the heat on, just a little lower. I am still nervous about leaving them outside these temperature swings are crazy. I don't want wimpy chicks though, so it is probably time to get over the anxiety and let them be chicks.

 

[MissZazzy]

Bob, I'm so glad all went well. I put mine out too. Kept thinking I heard them and went out to find all was quiet. This morning they were on the perch looking out at me.

 

[bobchristenson]

Another very chilly night. Found them huddled under the lamp at 6am but seemed well. Scary stuff...I just keep hearing a previous poster in my head: "Let them be chicks"...

 

[outdoorpodcast]

My chicks just turned 4 weeks yesterday and I also finished the tractor yesterday as well, so last night was their first night in the tractor. The brooder was in the garage with a red heat lamp. I did put the heat lamp in the tractor about 12" above the coop floor. It got down to 34F last night and they survived with no problems at all.

I don't see the need to heat the coop just a heat lamp. I'm not a new chicken owner but this is my first batrch of chicks, and yes I was a little concerned but they are animals not humans. I think too often we try and "heat" farm animals like we want to be heated and this isn't a good thing. Good luck with yours!

 

[bobchristenson]

Thanks outdoorpodcast....yeah, I actually just got back from TSC and got them a better heat lamp (was using 125w for the brooder, just got a 250w for the coop) and won't be turning on the heather tonight. With more wattage they should be perfectly cozy.