Is 50 degree overnight too cold?

[bethwray13]

It is in the high 70s low 80s during the day. We have been moving the chickens out during the day, but bringing them back in at night. It has been high 40s low 50s overnight. Is this too cold for the chickens? They look to be full feathered. They range from 3.5 weeks to 7.

 

[Mrs. K]

They are ready to stay out if they have a coop.

 

[bethwray13]

They are ready to stay out if they have a coop.

We have a coop with 2 older buffs right now. They usually just go in to lay and sleep at night. In the past, I locked the buffs in for a few days when we got our coop so they could learn that was home. Will i need to do it with the new chicks or will they watch the buffs and go in at night?

 

[PirateGirl]

I'd put mine out when it's 50*F during the day, so overnight locked in a coop should be fine, they look to have good feathers. If you do not have a fully enclosed coop and it's windy at all, they may be a bit chilly.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Back when we were had a break in a cold snap, I moved six 3.5 week old chicks out to my coop. They used a heater plate inside so I thought they would use the one outside. The second night it got down to 20 degrees F. We didn't check on them because we thought they would use the plate. Well, my FIL found them all huddled up in a corner, perfectly fine, the next morning. I showed them several times over the course of the day about the heater plat (Because the following night was supposed be below 0*F). They started using the plate and are fine. I think chicks are more hardy than we give them credit for. As long as they have a warm, dry place to retreat too, they should be perfectly fine.