My birds are 7 weeks old, if I move them outside do they need a heat lamp at night?

[tamera983]

Hey all,

I'm in Olympia, WA (think Seattle weather), and am planning on moving my birds outside this weekend. The temps during the day have been in the 60's to 70's, but at night it's been quite a bit cooler--forecasted to be 34F tonight. It'll warm up over the weekend and should stay a bit warmer from now on.....do they need a heat source at night? If so, how cold is too cold for these young-uns?

Thanks!

 

[RonC]

They should be feathered out at that age. If you are using a heat lamp now I would take it away for a few days then go ahead and move them out to the coop without any heat lamp. As long as they have a draft free coop and can stay dry they will be fine.

 

[DaughterOfEve]

If they have all their feathers they are ready. If it makes you have some peace of mind then by all means turn on your heat lamp for the night. As they get bigger you will feel better about leaving the lamp off at night.

 

[pittsbirder]

i moved mine out at 3 weeks with same temps with a heat lamp and electric heater....they were fine with alot more feathers yours should be fine with just a lamp unless you got an electric laying around just for your sake of mind. my coop got down to about 50 under the light at 3 weeks and they were fine. is there shavings or stuff they can cuddle into also to stay warm? I'd say go for it, you will worry but they will be fine

 

[Who-Dat Hens]

We live in PA and have put ours in the coop about 2 weeks ago with a heat lamp on at night, they were about 5 weeks old. I just finished the run last weekend and finally left them out to have fun in the run. They love it. No more heat lamp.

 

[tamera983]

That is a good looking coop!

So I've turned the light off for tonight and plan on leaving it off for a couple of days, then moving them out. Thanks for all the suggestions and input! It has really helped ease my mind.

 

[gamechickens]

agree just wean away the light and stick them outside

 

[tamera983]

They've been weaned and are outside now! The hubster is installing a light for winter use, with a thermostat.....glad he's an electrician! The girls are loving being outside full time.