How to get ready to leave brooder

[Overthinker]

Hi,
Chicks are four weeks old and I want to start getting them ready for their first night in the coop. Please give me ideas to get them ready. Current weather, mostly high 30* at night, high 60 during day. How often do i turn down the plate temp until I take it away? How often do I start letting them outside and for how long?

I assume before they sleep outside that they will be used to no plate inside, window open and will have spent a few long days outside but I want to do this right, they are our pets at this point.

Thank you for the help! Pictures attached

 

[All4Eggz]

They're so cute!

Once they are fully feathered, they could live full time outside.
If the coop door will be shut, they should have no problem getting through the night with the correct insulation. Heating is not needed, unless you reach the 30's (F), IMO.

Good luck, update us on how it goes!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have you been turning down the plate temperature at all yet? I use a heating pad and turn it down a notch every 5 days or so, so by 4 weeks they'd be off heat. If you haven't started this process yet now is a good time to start.

With their current feathering they can start spending an hour or two outside during the day to start, and you can increase the amount of time gradually. Once they're comfortable outside for most of the day and completely off heat inside, they'll naturally be acclimated to the temperatures and able to stay out without issue.

 

[Overthinker]

Thanks, yeah I've got it down to 5 from 7. Will keep turning it down so it's off in two weeks.

Coop is just siding, no insulation. But I'm going to fill it full of pine shavings soon

 

[Overthinker]

I guess if they are sleeping quietly then it means the plate isn't too cold. Home heat is on 70 and maybe gets a little colder in that room

 

[3KillerBs]

My 4-week-olds, who were brooded outside, are well-feathered and off heat with tonight's low expected to be around 50F.

When well-feathered they just need to be acclimated to the outdoors. Can you put them into a cooler room than 70F?

 

[Overthinker]

I can start cracking the window open

 

[Overthinker]

So they have enough feathers that they dont need the heating plate now? I've got it down to 4 out of 7 and this week I can turn it down a little every day so it's off when they turn 5 weeks old. House is 70. So then week 5 i can start opening the window and getting it cold and when they turn 6 let them in the coop for their first night. They spent an hour outside today and i used the cultivater in their run and a few found worms. I'll take them out every day if it helps but some days are cold.

 

[3KillerBs]

So they have enough feathers that they dont need the heating plate now? I've got it down to 4 out of 7 and this week I can turn it down a little every day so it's off when they turn 5 weeks old. House is 70. So then week 5 i can start opening the window and getting it cold and when they turn 6 let them in the coop for their first night. They spent an hour outside today and i used the cultivater in their run and a few found worms. I'll take them out every day if it helps but some days are cold.

You can take them out and monitor them to see how they're handling the weather. If they're running around doing chick stuff they're OK. If they're huddling together peeping loudly they're cold.

Make sure they can get out of the wind.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So they have enough feathers that they dont need the heating plate now? I've got it down to 4 out of 7 and this week I can turn it down a little every day so it's off when they turn 5 weeks old. House is 70. So then week 5 i can start opening the window and getting it cold and when they turn 6 let them in the coop for their first night. They spent an hour outside today and i used the cultivater in their run and a few found worms. I'll take them out every day if it helps but some days are cold.

They don't really need the heat plate any longer but easing them off and gradually exposing them to cooler temps, as you noted, is the best thing to do, to minimize shock and stress.