Good evening esteemed poultry colleagues! My apologies for this very commonly asked question, but I wanted to get additional feedback besides what I've read on the forum. My 8 little ladies will be 5 weeks old this coming Monday. They are getting quite big now and appear to be almost fully feathered. Whenever I open the brooder lid, they go crazy, flying and flapping, trying to get out so they can either sit on the side or walk around on the lid. Is it too early to move them to the coop? My coop is about 9'x18' made of cinder block and will have the floor covered with pine shavings. Our nighttime temps are still getting down in the low 40's. Is that too cold for them? I could put the heat lamp out there if need be. They are just getting to be too large for my brooder which is only about 2.5' x3.5'. And they are starting to get a little smelly.... and of course, they are pooping everywhere! What do you all think? Many thanks for your input.
If they will have the coop for them selves go for it. Put the lamp in there so its there if the need it. Mine have been out in my brooder coop since the were 1 week old. With heat lamps and the have done exceptionally well. Did the inside garage last year till the were 10 weeks old...never again. And I live in utah where that first week night temps were in the 20's I just had 2 lamps for when it was cold
Nope, 3 weeks is when some people put them out, 5 weeks is fine. Hopefully you have been adjusting their heat so that they will not be in shock when they get outside and not be able to self-regulate heat. They probably need the space, too. Will they be alone outside (no adult chickens)?
They'll be fine. I used to live in Pa. Kennett Square, Pottstown, Pheonixville. I know lititz. Best man at my wedding was from Lititz. Yea, but the chicks will be fine. They're real closed to fully feathered and have each other to keep warm.
Sounds good, everyone. Thanks for the input. Yes, the chicks will be by themselves - no older ones to assimilate with. Yes, I have been moving the lamp up a bit each week. I think they are going to be fine, too. They act pretty tough right about now. They are so funny to watch. And they are VERY anxious to get out and move around. I know it will be a good weekend to make the transition. Have a great weekend, everyone!
