SOOOO... Haven't been on awhile 'cause I spend all my time staring at Scarlett, Trixie, and Miss Penny Loo-Hoo
However I am wondering about outdoor adjustment. The girls have been outside during the day for about a week now (in S. Texas the days have been anywhere from 70-80 degrees). I've even had them stay outside a bit after dark to get used to it (they know to go back into the coop! Smartie pants!), but I'm still bringing them in at night.
My question is about leaving them out all night. Right now the evening temps are ranging from the mid-50's to mid-60's. The girls are 5 weeks old, fully feathered on their bodies and necks, but there is still some "fuzz" on their undersides. The coop is in a very sheltered nook in my yard, the only winds that could blow on them are southerly, which is off the gulf and not cold. Is it ok to leave them out all night as long as it doesn't go lower than 55 or so, or is that still too cold?
They are at the point where they are obviously a LOT happier outside...and having feathers and poop out of my house would make mommy happy too, LOL! But I don't want to push it if they aren't ready.
Opinions? And to answer the obvious question upfront, I am not able to put a brooder lamp in the coop.
My question is about leaving them out all night. Right now the evening temps are ranging from the mid-50's to mid-60's. The girls are 5 weeks old, fully feathered on their bodies and necks, but there is still some "fuzz" on their undersides. The coop is in a very sheltered nook in my yard, the only winds that could blow on them are southerly, which is off the gulf and not cold. Is it ok to leave them out all night as long as it doesn't go lower than 55 or so, or is that still too cold?
They are at the point where they are obviously a LOT happier outside...and having feathers and poop out of my house would make mommy happy too, LOL! But I don't want to push it if they aren't ready.
Opinions? And to answer the obvious question upfront, I am not able to put a brooder lamp in the coop.
