Hens go broody when you don’t want them to… and won’t go broody when you do. 
My chicks are all about 5 weeks old. Most have feathers on their head (the one that is 2 days younger has mostly feathers on her head but the downy fluff sticking out of her neck still).
They have been outside during the day for the past two weeks in temps 62-85, but we have been bringing them in every night to the garage. In the garage, they are in an old guinea pig cage that is half covered with a blanket and the light is high up as I can put it on a ladder. They stay under the covered part as far away from the light as possible. The little cage is getting pretty tight for 4 growing chickens.
Every day they are fine outside until it gets dark. As soon as dusk hits, they start making a huge ruckus. I think that they may be a little afraid of the dark? That said, they do gather by the gate and are slower moving, which makes me worry about cold.
So, we were thinking of letting them stay outside tonight. We put the heat lamp out side right above the top of the kennel (about 3.5 feet up) and I put an extra box slightly under the light with a towel in it. Of course, I worry now that they may be too cold. It's still about 60 outside right now and shouldn't get below 55 tonight.
Is it too soon? Of course, now I worry. What should I look for that says "bring them in"?
(I just looked out there and they are all sleeping on TOP of the box, closer to the light)
They have been outside during the day for the past two weeks in temps 62-85, but we have been bringing them in every night to the garage. In the garage, they are in an old guinea pig cage that is half covered with a blanket and the light is high up as I can put it on a ladder. They stay under the covered part as far away from the light as possible. The little cage is getting pretty tight for 4 growing chickens.
Every day they are fine outside until it gets dark. As soon as dusk hits, they start making a huge ruckus. I think that they may be a little afraid of the dark? That said, they do gather by the gate and are slower moving, which makes me worry about cold.
So, we were thinking of letting them stay outside tonight. We put the heat lamp out side right above the top of the kennel (about 3.5 feet up) and I put an extra box slightly under the light with a towel in it. Of course, I worry now that they may be too cold. It's still about 60 outside right now and shouldn't get below 55 tonight.
Is it too soon? Of course, now I worry. What should I look for that says "bring them in"?
(I just looked out there and they are all sleeping on TOP of the box, closer to the light)
