Is my tiny girl feathered enough to go outside? (Pic heavy)

[featheredroots]

We had terrible luck with chicks this year(lost 10 out of 12). Now at seven weeks old my remaining girls are very much enjoying their days in the coop, but hate coming in to the brooder at night. I'd love to leave them out at night but I'm worried that my little girl isn't feathered enough yet. She's been through so much, and just isn't developing as well or as fast as our other girl. With only two of them I'm afraid she won't be able to keep warm enough. Our overnight temps this week will be in the mid 50's and the low 60's the following week, is that too cold for her still?

 

[cary 1973]

your temps at night are you able to add heat light to coop if they need it also maybe add a box with wood shavings they can lay in to also help keep in the heat. my girls are only 4 to 5 weeks and staying out this whole week but are lows are in the 70's i know have to worry about them over heating

 

[highpointfarm]

I think they will be fine, If you are weary to do it, than add a heat lamp in one corner of the coop..... I would say they would definetly be fine if their were 6 of them to keep each other warm, but since theres not I think you should add a heat lamp at night....

 

[andycowboy]

I agree with highpointfarm - at 7 weeks, she should be good to go. But the heat lamp's a good idea since there aren't several birds to keep each other warm. I have 6 girls - about 9 weeks - in the coop, with night temps at mid 60s. They do a great job of grouping together for warmth, but I have a heat lamp in there in case we get lower temps and heavier breezes w/rain - which is how we've been this past week.

You might also consider the box idea - gets the girls out of the chilly wind.

Good luck - have a great day, and God bless!

 

[kmatt87]

we just got a new coop. Most of my birds are 10 - 12 wks, but i have one thats only about 4. The bottom of the coop is wire (not sure if i'm going to leave it that way or not) so i plan on having a box with bedding in for awhile and possibly a reg lightbulb over it if needed.
The weather here has been 85 some days/48+ those nights, but there are still days like today....41 and rainy/breezy with the nights around 35