First night out worried they'll freeze

[EvansMeXo]

Tonight's my chicks first night in the coop! The oldest is 10 weeks (I know should have been out 4 weeks ago!) I just went out to give them more food and water and some scratch and grit.. they were all cheeping loudly!! It's 19 out right now (66?) and it's supposed to drop to 13 (55?) should I take them in and try when it's warmer?? The younger ones are a couple weeks old but their almost fully feathered, it's just their heads and the odd back spot that isn't.. I think I'll take then in and leave the 6+ out (the 2 week old is already in the brooder) I'm going to re check them after dark to see if they settled but I'm torn about leaving them out, I've never heard them make so much noise!! Their 4-5 weeks they were happy an hour ago but the sun is half set now and they don't seem happy

 

[EvansMeXo]

Oh and I forgot to say that the ones I'm questioning haven't had supplemental heat for over a week and a windows open 24/7 in the room their in and they haven't had any issues

 

[kitkat5505]

The ones that are 6+ weeks should be fine. When I put mine in the coop my older ones were 7 weeks and the younger 2 were 3 weeks. I just moved the brooder into the coop too and kept the heat lamp over the brooder for a few more weeks until the younger ones were bigger and more feathered out.

 

[Birdinhand]

my chicks did great going directly out to the coop from the box they arrived in, back in the beginning of March. they did have supplemental heat, but chicks absolutely do not need to be indoors at all if they are provided with the needed components in the coopl

 

[EvansMeXo]

This young cockerel is 5 weeks and just missing head feathers I think he'll be okay
The two 4 week olds have a bit less feathers than him so I think I'll go bring them in.. it's 9:30 and 18 out.. I need to get a thermometer for the coop so I can see what the temp is inside it

 

[EvansMeXo]

Well when I got out all 7 were roosting, I couldn't hear them when approaching, the ones I was planning on bringing in I can't reach so I guess their staying out! I'll check later when temps start dropping to make sure their still warm enough.. roosting is a great sign right

 

[kitkat5505]

Yep if they took themselves to roost that's great if they get cold they will huddle closer together.

 

[lazy gardener]

Not to worry. My chicks are brooded in a coop, and they wean themselves off heat at 4 weeks. This, when night time temps get down into 30's in late spring.

 

[EvansMeXo]

Last night I went out to get the 3 babies (2-4) weeks and they were up in the roosts it was a mild night so I left them out with the flock and they did great! This morning I went to let them out and they were all happily sleeping when I opened the doors they came flying down to greet me.
What time is a good time to open it? Sun seems to rise just after 5 but I wait until my girls are up at 7/7:30 ish bc they are are enjoying opening the coop every morning.. is it okay to wait that long to open it?
It nice to see how smoothly their taking to the coop! I can't wait to start letting them free range

 

[lazy gardener]

What ever works for you as long as they are not left w/o water for very long.