Moving to the coop?

[jessanne]

This is my first time raising chickens and I'm wondering if my chicks are ready to make a move to the coop to spend the night. They are 3.5 weeks and appear to have all of their feathers, beside some downy areas on their heads and bottoms. Most of what I have read says they can make the move at about 5 weeks but our weather has been very warm, 70-90 during the day and mid 50's-60's at night. I've been letting them spend the day in the coop run, which they love, and they are becoming very hard to wrangle back to their brooder box for the night. The coop is very secure so they will be safe at night but just wondering about the temperature. They seem to have grown so quickly but I don't want to jump the gun on moving them! Thanks for any opinions/suggestions!

 

[sumi]

Have you still got them under heat in the brooder? Start by switching the brooder light off overnight for a few nights before letting them stay outside overnight. They are still a bit young, but with temperatures that high they should be able to sleep outside soon.

 

[chickzndahood]

I heard that chickens should start sleeping in the coop when they are about 6-8 weeks old.