Heat lamp Needed?

[Rode Island Red 2008]

I was wondering if ineed a heat lamp for almost fully feathered RIRs ihave one on at night. It is frost

 

[miss_jayne]

probably not. they will snuggle up if necessary. keep your eye open, if they smush each other they can smother, so just make sure it's snuggling, not smushing.

blessings for healthy and warm chickens!

 

[MissPrissy]

How old are they? I have read where some people think a 4 week old chick is feathered out and did not realize that fluff and feather tips is not fully feathered.

If they are not completely feathered out they can't regulated their own body temps. If you have frost on the ground I would give them heat. I hatch through late fall. My chicks get heat nearly a full 12 weeks in cold weather. My big orpingtons need it even at that age when the temps are cold.

They will tell you by their behavior if they are chilled.