My chickens act cold.

[KayNova]

So our chicks are about 6 weeks old and are in their coop. I'm still using a 150w heat lamp because if I turn it off they all squish together like they're cold. Temps at night are 50's these passed couple of weeks. We have 8 chicks. I feel like keeping the lamp on for them at night is going to mess with them. I do turn it off first thing in the morning. Is it ok to keep the lamp on at night for a few more weeks??

 

[Kiki]

At 6 weeks they should be feathered out an not need additional heat.
They may cuddle together for warmth but I would not continue the lamp.

 

[Haihai]

I believe there are many thoughts at this, my chicks go to the coop at 4 weeks old, no lamp no nothing. The week before they go they get the lamp at night and that's it. My first batch of chicks I followed the rules to a "T". However once our hens started lying I noticed around three weeks that the chicks didn't rely on mama so much for heat. So I decided to for-go at 4 weeks. They are all fine, and have never had one die because of cold. Just my personal thoughts, hope it helps.

 

[KayNova]

At 6 weeks they should be feathered out an not need additional heat.
They may cuddle together for warmth but I would not continue the lamp.

Ok. What would be too cold? It's going to get down to 47 on Monday. Is that ok too? Clearly I've never done this before haha. I didn't realize how attached I'd get to these girls and I'm so scared I'm going to do something wrong!

 

[Kiki]

Pets are pets and we all should get attached and want the best for them.
It's really up to your personal choice how you want to raise them.
If you think it's too cold them offer them the lamp.
There are people that raise chicks from day one out in the snow ....

 

[dfalco]

If you're worried about the light messing them up, I don't think that is a problem. If you're worried about them being cold, I'd say turn on the lamp a few more nights. Soon it will be warmer outside. If I understand rightly, sometimes people keep lights on in he winter to try to keep their hens laying well year round, and this can possibly be hard on a hen, not getting her usual winter rest. I don't think the extra light will do much, one way or another, for chicks.