Is it too early to go outside?

[Rachelz]

I'm in northern Illinois, and temps are forecasted to be around 50 this week for lows. We'd like our 5 week chicks to go to an enclosed shed with a radiant heater this week. I'm not sure what fully feathered means, but they definitely have bald spots under their wings. We took the brooder and heat lamp off today (they're in a chicken box in our basement bathroom, it's very nice for chickens) and I'm hoping they're going to be ok with the temp change. We'll have a radiant heater out there. Any concerns?

 

[Rachelz]

 

[rosemarythyme]

They'll be fine, put them out. Work on getting them off heat the next few days, they really don't need it.

 

[Rachelz]

They'll be fine, put them out. Work on getting them off heat the next few days, they really don't need it.

Thank you! I keep reminding myself they're farm animals and should be ok!

 

[Debbie292d]

That's exactly what we do. We have a wooden crate for a mini-coop attached to a pen and put a "cozy coop" radiant heater in rear of the crate in case they get cold. Ours ran around outside in 42F degrees today, but ran back in the box every 5 minutes or so, then back out again lol.

Another week and they shouldn't need it though. Especially if Mother Nature would let us have Spring!!

 

[Rachelz]

That's exactly what we do. We have a wooden crate for a mini-coop attached to a pen and put a "cozy coop" radiant heater in rear of the crate in case they get cold. Ours ran around outside in 42F degrees today, but ran back in the box every 5 minutes or so, then back out again lol.

Another week and they shouldn't need it though. Especially if Mother Nature would let us have Spring!!

We got a cozy coop too! Glad that's working for you, we're putting them out in the morning tomorrow!

 

[Rose Quartz]

View attachment 3815468

They look fully feathered to me. Idk what kind of heater you have but be careful it doesnt say not to use it for animals. Some have a teflon coating and they can make fumes that will kill chickens.

Personally i'd wait for 6 weeks and put them out without added heat.

 

[Rachelz]

They look fully feathered to me. Idk what kind of heater you have but be careful it doesnt say not to use it for animals. Some have a teflon coating and they can make fumes that will kill chickens.

Personally i'd wait for 6 weeks and put them out without added heat.

They were totally fine with a chicken brooder heater. They didn't even sleep by it!