I built a warming cave

[trumpeting_angel]

So true, @penny1960 !
And when they hang out outside of it more and more, or sleep next to it instead of inside, you can save the electricity and they’ll keep each other warm.

 

[SmallCityChicken]

Once they have feathers they will not need heat same as keeping a brooder inside most often a home is warm enough

Once they get feathers they will be going outside, probably with the heat cave. The average night time temps at that point will be in the low 30s or high 20s.

 

[SmallCityChicken]

So true, @penny1960 !
And when they hang out outside of it more and more, or sleep next to it instead of inside, you can save the electricity and they’ll keep each other warm.

Right now they hang out on top of it more than in it during the daytime, at night I wrangle them all in then turn out the lights in the room & they stay in until morning.

 

[pennyJo1960]

They will be fine do not need heat then the coop that had ventilation will be fine in feathered birds

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Once they get feathers they will be going outside, probably with the heat cave. The average night time temps at that point will be in the low 30s or high 20s.

Let them have some transition time in a colder room, or with a window open, so the shock won’t be too great. Once they get cold their feathers will develop quickly.

I can’t remember if I read that, or if I just believe it. Someone will correct me if I’m just wrong, though!

ETA: Penny corrected me before I wrote this!

But if they were mine, I’d still give them a transition between the kitchen and 20-30 degrees.

 

[SmallCityChicken]

Let them have some transition time in a colder room, or with a window open, so the shock won’t be too great. Once they get cold their feathers will develop quickly.

I can’t remember if I read that, or if I just believe it. Someone will correct me if I’m just wrong, though!

ETA: Penny corrected me before I wrote this!

But if they were mine, I’d still give them a transition between the kitchen and 20-30 degrees.

I plan to put them in my daughter's playroom as it gets shut up when it is really cold & at night (our house is badly heated, we have one heating unit in the livingroom & direct warm air with doorway fans thankfully it is well insulated) before transitioning them to outside.
I turned their heating pad down to medium today. Their wing feathers are coming in nicely, I dont know which ones are next.

 

[EggWalrus]

I considered the Wool Hen when deciding to make the heat cave, I am not confident enough at this point to try it. This is my first set of chicks & it is semi cold here already. I like knowing that if they need some artificial heat they can get it.

You can make a second one (no electric/lots of wool or microfiber strips) to see which they prefer.
They may use both. and if they get cold in the nonelectric, they can always run to the heat cave. Chicks not only need heat, but also crave the feel of nustling tight under a Momma.

 

[SmallCityChicken]

Forgot the wing pictures





ETA the colors on their head are just dots of coloring so my daughter can tell them apart.

 

[pennyJo1960]

watch that those are not picked on spots later

 

[Shezadandy]

Once they get feathers they will be going outside, probably with the heat cave. The average night time temps at that point will be in the low 30s or high 20s.

It will be interesting to see what they do. A group of nine liked to puppy pile for the night away from the heat to sleep. Putting my hand over them, I could actually feel their body heat and they were super comfortable. Then after they got up and had some breakfast in the AM, they'd be back under the heat in the morning- probably because with daylight comes activity, so no group heat, unlike bedtime.

I usually leave them a heat source until they're clearly not using it. Paper towels underneath the heat cave are a good way to see if they're spending any time there... because chicks are poop machines and the paper towel gives you concrete evidence. When you move them outside, just take care that any breeze doesn't blow into the main warming cave opening.