Locking my chicks up at night!

[dkhaxton]

Today is the first day my flock has left the house full time to their permanent outside house. I have a 6x8x14 portable coop on wheels that can be moved around our yard. The coop itself is elevated 3ft off the ground, all around the run is a 2foot paneled section with tin roof over the entire thing. Due to a couple low areas in the yard, we filled in small gaps with heavy duty stone that I can barely move. If my flock is inside the coop, it is necessary to lock them in? What is your feelings about a heatlamp in the coop? My chicks are 5 weeks old, have their feathers but they have been kept pretty warm up to this point. Temps will reach 50's over the next few weeks, 75-80 during the day. Thanks for your input and advise!

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

As long as they are inside and protected from winds they should be fine without a lamp. If the temps approach freezing before they are full sized them maybe add the lamp. That is what I will be doing in my grow out pen with my chicks I will be moving out at end of Oct.

 

[LiLChicken]

I would agree with Turtlepower and add that the size of the flock would make a difference

 

[dkhaxton]

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'm already a Mother Hen!