How long do they really need a heat lamp?

[ElioraImmanuel]

I have to sets of chicks, right now. The littlest set is in the brooder boxes. I had been keeping the heat off during the day, but now it's 46 and cold here. So it's back on. They're 3 weeks old.

The older set is 5 weeks old and they are outside in the "chicky house". What age or what temps before the littles flock can go outside? When should I integrate all of them into the adult flock?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They should have that optimal temperature available to them until they are fully feathered (even on the head) which comes around 6 weeks generally.

Optimal temperature is 90-95 degrees for the first week of life and decrease by 5 degrees per week until fully feathered. They should be able to get away from the heat, too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock
scroll down for adding to flock

I recommend adding to the flock around 4 months or when they are about the same size as the older hens.

Your 3 and 5 week old flocks should be able to be integrated together now, IMO- both need heat with daytime temps at 46, IMO. They can use the same heat source if you have the room.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can provide some heat for the little ones for another week or two, especially at night. At 6 weeks, they're done needing it. With May soon to give way to June, they'll be fine. Yes, I'd integrate the 3 and 5 week groups together now while they're still both young. It's time to get to know each other.


Integrating the little ones to the adult flock will prove challenging. There are many, many columns of advice given here, through many, many threads. Basically, it boils down to allowing the little to better match up in size before even attempting. When the adults out weigh the little ones 3 to 1, it isn't a fair fight and someone can get hurt or even killed.

 

[wowmanacat]

I have 2 week old and 1 week old give a day or so since I bought 4 at the auction this weekend, had two that were hatched on the 9th. My two week old look to be so much bigger than my one week olds. I would like to be able to put all of the in the same brooder since I have more to hatch on the 22 and them more on the 4th of june. I am short on room and would like to be able to put the older ones outside asap but with them being so much smaller than my 2 adult hens and rooster I guess I am not going to be able to do that for some time. I only have one coop with run and I live where is it still cold at night. Help what can I do? Running out of room for baby chicks.