My chicks all grow up in my coop. I've had similar experiences with young chicks running around much of or all day without going under mama for warmth -- but the thing is, they do have that option. When a broody raised chicks in cold weather, well below freezing at night and 40-50 days, they chicks still ran around outdoors part of the time, but frequently went under mama for a warmup. And at 2-3 weeks the chicks without a broody (last month) were avoiding the heat lamp even at night, just sleeping in a huddle in a warm undrafty corner.
They do need the option to go somewhere to get warm, though. for the first few weeks. If they get too cold they will pile one on top of the other and smother the bottom ones. I've seen this happen.
They do need the option to go somewhere to get warm, though. for the first few weeks. If they get too cold they will pile one on top of the other and smother the bottom ones. I've seen this happen.
