need some reassurance...

[top of the hill]

My BR chicks are just shy of 8 weeks, feathered and ready for the outdoors. I know I am being a way over cautious and I need to pull the heat lamp if they will make it through this winter. I am sure they are fine, but could someone just reassure me that its ok??? PLEASE

Its 50 degrees out, the coop has plastic on the drafty windows (as well as six 28 week old girls running in and out the pop door - the chix are seperated) I'm stuck at work and seriously considering running home at lunch to check on them...

 

[TinyChickenLady]

I took the heat lamp off mine early (around 3 weeks old) and they moved outside at 4 weeks old. It was about 65* at the time and they are doing great! I understand you being cautious. I was the same way. But they are tough little critters and will do just fine

No need to worry.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

They are fine

It's hard leaving them to "fend for themselves" for the first time after carefully watching over them for 8 weeks huh? They'll be just fine though when you get home. You'll feel silly for ever having worried

 

[turbodog]

Take a deep breath.....let it out......and say: They are fine, they are fine, they are fine!

 

[top of the hill]

Thanks everyone! After some deep breaths, I am feeling so much better... and just because, here are a few pics of the girls!

(coop still under construction... I've been saying that for months now! lol)

 

[Fred's Hens]

The best thing, the absolute kindest thing to do is to allow them the moderately cool temps now. Nature knows best and will feather them up. They will be big balls of down and feathers in a few weeks. Heating can prevent that kind of appropriate feathering. Good for you!!! The Barred Rocks are very cold hardy, or they'd never have survived all the northern states, grandmothers who kept them. They did fine for great grandma and they'll do fine for us too.

 

[top of the hill]

Fred's Hens :

The best thing, the absolute kindest thing to do is to allow them the moderately cool temps now. Nature knows best and will feather them up. They will be big balls of down and feathers in a few weeks. Heating can prevent that kind of appropriate feathering. Good for you!!! The Barred Rocks are very cold hardy, or they'd never have survived all the northern states, grandmothers who kept them. They did fine for great grandma and they'll do fine for us too.

Thanks Freds Hens! I believe it was one of your posts I read regarding this very same thing that had me pull the plug, the heat lamp plug that is! lol I know my girls will be better for it.
Thanks for giving such sound advice on the BYC!​

 

[waterchicken]

Good pics!

 

[eggdd]

good to hear they're fine. yay.

it's difficult to "let them go" after taking such great care of them for a few weeks - - i think we under estimate them sometimes, though. they're meant to be outside being....chickens. if they were with a chicken-mom, they'd have been out the entire time.

don't worry. enjoy them!