Heater ???

[Jersey Boy]

Hello. I just bought my new flock of 3 Rhode Island Red and 3 Welsummer chicks. The breeder told me they are 4-6 weeks old. You can tell 2 of the 6 are a bit smaller than the rest. I figured they are 4 weeks old and the rest are 5-6 weeks old. I live in New Jersey and the temperature here at night right now only drops to about 60 deg at night. I didn't think they needed a heat lamp anymore but last night I checked on them and they were all huddled together in the corner. Does that mean they are cold ? Everything I have read says 100 degrees when they hatch and decrease by 5 degrees a week until they reach the outside temp. At 5 weeks old if my math is correct puts them at 75 degrees. Should I have a heat lamp in the coop for a couple more weeks continuing to deceease by 5 degrees a week or will they be fine without heat ? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Jersey Boy]

 

[Fred's Hens]

Your original instincts were good. If your lows are only 60, as this is summer after all, and given the feathering I see on those chicks, you'll be fine. That they sleep in a bunch is typical. They do this for companionship and comfort as much as anything. So, unless a cold front moves in over the next few days and the weather prediction is for a low in the 40's, I'd not be concerned.

 

[Jersey Boy]

 

[Jersey Boy]

Sounds good. Thanks for the help.

 

[BJ37]

I have eleven at three weeks. Last night temp. about 60. Early this morning they were all huddled together in a corner, but not the corner where the heat is. Daytime temp. yesterdy in the 80s. At various times they would be sleeping, most of them in a big bunch, and a few by themselves, all asleep

 

[Eggcessive]

I have a single 3 week-old chick with it's mother in the coop. It has been up on the 4 ft roost at night roosting next to Mom for almost a week with night time temps in the 50-60 range. I think they will be fine with huddling together at night.