Help, moving chicks outside

[snhchick]

I don’t have Silkies, just “regular” chickens, but I really don’t think that makes a difference in this. I regularly put 5 week old chicks in my grow-out coop which is not heated when the temperatures are around freezing. Mine are raised in a big brooder in the coop and the far reaches of that brooder can get pretty cool so they are mire used to the cold than I think yours are. But there is a big difference in freezing and upper 50’s too.

I really don’t think you need a heat lamp as long as you have decent draft protection. That means you don’t want a breeze blowing directly on them. Some air movement is good you just don’t want enough to ruffle feathers. As long as they have a place to go to so they can get themselves out of a wind they should be OK.

If you decide to use a heat lamp use a very low wattage bulb and put it in a corner. Be careful to not burn the coop down. Secure it very well. Give them all room to get away from it if it is too hot for them. I don’t know how warm it gets during the day but heat is almost certainly not required during the day.

Thanks for the advice. They haven't had the heat lamp for a couple weeks and spend their days outside. The brooder is in my dining room, but my house does get cool at night. The coop should be ready this weekend, so I think I'll try putting them out without heat and check on them in the evening to see how they are doing. I'll have a heat lamp ready for them in case I decide that they seem cold. Can't believe my babies are graduating to the barn!

 

[yankobandit]

Have 6 chicks inside that are 2 weeks old. Wanting to know if they can go out in the day? Its in the 90s. And when can I stop using the heat lamp.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A broody hen takes her chicks outside as soon as they come off the nest. She just provides them a warm place to go to if they need it. If the temperature is in the 90’s you can take chicks straight from the incubator to outside. It’s when the temperature drops that you have to make a decision.

When can you stop using the heat lamp? It’s a good question but totally depends on your circumstances. My brooder is outside so I have to account for big temperature swings day and night. If you are brooding in the house you don’t have to put up with that. What kind of temperatures do you have where you are brooding them?

In the winter I keep heat on mine for five weeks, then shut it down as long as temperatures aren’t much below freezing. But my 3’ x 6’ brooder is only heated at one end and the rest can cool off quite a bit. The warm end is toasty but the far end may even have ice in it. Mine are used to cold weather so they are acclimated. That makes a difference.

A few years back in a ridiculous hear wave I turned the daytime heat off at 2 days and the nighttime heat off at 5 days. Their body language told me they did not need it and they did not. I never know for sure when I’ll turn the heat off, day or night. Each brood is different.

I can’t tell you when they no longer need the heat. It depends on your unique circumstances. I can tell you they are a lot better able to handle cooler temperatures than many people believe.

 

[JessicaThistle]

I'm not sure that to do with my chicks because one is only 5 weeks while the other two are 8 weeks. The two bigger ones are definitely ready to go out in their coop in the barn, but what about the little one? Temps are in the high 50's and low 60's at night. They have been spending their days in an outdoor playpen. They are Silkies, so they huddle together at night. Do I need a heat lamp or will they be OK since the older ones will help to keep the young one warm? If I do use a heat lamp, will I need a 250W bulb? The coop is 5'x6' (to be expanded before winter). Thanks for your help.

I would move them all out and no heat lamp. They will be fine. I have moved 5 week chicks out in 40 degree temps and they were fine. Cornish Cross go out on pasture at my farm at 2 1/2 weeks with no heat lamp. Chickens have a remarkable way of regulating their own body temp.

My silkies love the rain and get themselves so absolutely soaked that you would think they'd freeze to death but they haven't. They are happy as can be out foraging in whatever weather.

 

[snhchick]

My silkies love the rain and get themselves so absolutely soaked that you would think they'd freeze to death but they haven't. They are happy as can be out foraging in whatever weather.

That's so funny. I panicked the other day because my chicks didn't go under the tarp when it started to rain. They were all bunched together in a net covered part of the playpen. They looked terrified. I rushed them into the brooder and put the heat lamp on for a while to dry them off. Maybe when they get bigger they will appreciate the rain. Thanks.