Is it too cold to leave them out overnight?

[peepkeeper]

I have 5 week old chicks that need to go outside. The thing is, it's in the 30s at night. Is that too cold for them? I brought them in last night because it got down in the upper 20s. They don't have much of a shelter, it's a doghouse with shavings in a fenced off part of the run, to protect them against the big chickens until they're big enough to fend for themselves. I really want them out of the house, they're defiling my sunroom.

 

[yellowdragon]

I have mine outside. You need a heat lamp in dog house or pointing toward the door. I have mine in the dog house and only turn it on from dusk till dawn.. Oh good movie..

... any way thats what I do.

 

[jemagsy]

I don't know if I would put them out in only 30 degrees... if you use a heat lamp though you should be alright.

I put mine out last night with it in the low 50s (they are 5 weeks old too) and they did just fine. Our only problems were they wanted to sleep outside their coop and there was a possum outside the run last night. (I did go put them back in the coop and chase the possum off).

 

[ebonykawai]

5 weeks?! Pish posh, mine have been out sice 3 weeks and it's gotten below freezing here. Just make sure the heat lamp is close enough to the ground so when the temps are low, it's warm enough. But seriously, they will be fine. Get 'em out and reclaim your room!!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Outside in a coop/doghouse will be okay as long as you provide a heatlamp for them, good bedding and free from drafts........

 

[wynedot55]

at 5wks old you might want to put a heatlamp in their henhouse.but make sure its secure.so it wont fall an start a fire.