Is 48 deg. overnight warm enough to move them outside?

[sevenscuba]

I have six 5-6 week old chickies in my bathroom downstairs. They haven't had a light for a bit and the basement is cool. It's been warm outside and the plan was to move them out tonight. Then we got a cold snap. The low is supposed to be 48 tonight and 47 tomorrow. Will they be okay in the coop overnight? Or do we need to wait?

(I'm really hoping they can go out. We have lots of company coming this weekend and only one bathroom could make things.... um... interesting. )

 

[sevenscuba]

Thought of some things I should add. They've been going out in the run during the day for the last week and a half. The last couple of days they've been out all day and LOVE it. They aren't thrilled withare mostl going back in the brooder box at night. They are mostly feathered out. Not completely... but mostly.

If they stay out to tonight, I'm thinking of filling a couple of milk type jugs with hot water and putting them in the coop too.

 

[Mehjr10]

I put mine out when the temps were going down to the upper 30's at 3.5 weeks of age and they made it fine, no problems.. As long as they have a place to be out of the wind and rain they should do fine.

 

[debid]

If they're feathered on the head/neck (even if they haven't shed all of the downy bits between feathers), they're ready. I know the transition is worrisome but they'll be so happy to have room to run around! They'll cuddle in a corner at dusk and be plenty warm with their shared body heat.

 

[cyndischicks]

Mine are only a week old and in the dining room with a heat lamp, the temp is suppose to go to 80's and 90's the next few days, can I shut the heat lamp off during the day?

When I do put them in the coop in a few weeks do they need the heat lamp out there?

 

[debid]

 Mine are only a week old and in the dining room with a heat lamp, the temp is suppose to go to 80's and 90's the next few days, can I shut the heat lamp off during the day?

When I do put them in the coop in a few weeks do they need the heat lamp out there?

It seems silly to run a heat lamp on chicks and an air conditioner for yourself. I'd put them out now and only run the heat for them at night and when you have cooler days.