Newbie question re: when to put in coop

[yoda2293]

Hi, totally new here. I've been lurking reading all the posts and getting GREAT info, thanks! I havea question though and hope y'all can help. I have 10 assorted "hopefully" pullets in the brooder. They range in age from 3 weeks to 6 weeks so they vary in size. If I start the older ones out in the coop how do I transition them from the heat of the brooder to the relative cold of the coop? Should I put a heat lamp in the coop? I need to keep the heat lamp on the youngers for awhile still.

 

[gritsar]

Hi and welcome to BYC! If you can safely put your heat lamp in the coop and keep the temp. near the heat lamp at 80 degrees or thereabouts they should all do fine in the coop; including the three week olds.
I'm giving you a bump to get you some more opinions.

 

[shaggy]

i am also interested in this answer


right now average day time outside temperatures are around 85
average night time temps down to 70

if it rains overnight -- the coldest it will get is around 60-65

 

[michiganlarry]

I moved two different batches out to the coop. The first at around 2 weeks and the last at only 1 week. They are doing fine. My coop is pretty draft free and they have two heat lamps and a large enough area to move away from it if it gets to warm.

 

[lovin'mychicks]

I have an outdoor grow off type "pen" or coop that I move my chicks to when they start out growing the brooder (which is really fast!) In the winter I don't put them out until they are "fully-feathered" or around 4-6 weeks. But during the spring/summer I put them out as early as one week as long as I know I can use the heat lamp and keep them at 80 degrees. They have done great. I think they thrive on the space/fresh air!

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

What I do is keep mine in the brooder room till they are 4 weeks old. I position my light a little higher each week till the temp in the room is about the same as the temp outside during the day. (75F is usually the temp I wait for before putting them outside.) once they are no longer using the light I stop turning it on at night in the brooder room. This helps them adjust to the outdoor temp changes. They will huddle together at night to keep each other warm. So dont worry about that too much. As long as they dont get super wet at night or have a bad draft then its ok.

When I put them outside I make sure they are protected from the weather. During the night I block the wire areas of the cage from the out door elements. If its raining during the day that is ok, they have shelter to get out of the rain if they want too. I do not use a light on them during the night. The more you keep them under a light the slower they will adjust to the outdoor life. Right now I have 7 birds outside that are 4 weeks old. They have been through a whole week of thunderstorms and still are very healthy. I put some meds in the water just in case though. I would rather not wait to see if any get a cold and instead just keep them medicated during the rainy season so they wont get sick.

 

[JessaLynn]

It depends on the breed but most are feathered out enough by 4-5weeks considering the temps aren't to low at night.Ours just went to the coop at 4weeks with no lamp and are adjusting fine.They would be outside with their mama anyhow so take that into consideration.Shelter is what they need to get out of the weather.Good luck and don't worry they will be just fine.

 

[Judy]

I'd put them all in the coop. I might put the heat lamp with them for a week or two, but I would make sure they had plenty of room to get away from the warmth, and that it did not get over 80 in there. The recommended brooding temps are maximums. If they are active and running around, they are warm enough. JMO.

 

[Bagdad Chicken Mom]

I am also wanting to take my 10 Americana biddies who will be 5 weeks old this Saturday to their new chicken coop. It has been 85-86 degrees in the day time and in the high 60's at night. We don't have any electricity near their coop for the light. I am also looking for options for the automatic feeder and water that help to cut down on the contamination from their scratching and the manure.

They are all so beautiful with the different colored feathers and they are doing some solo flying/flapping of their wings now too!

Let me know what some of you are doing with your new chicks. It is so nice to have this group and especially with newbies like myself and with all the seasoned peeps to help us and take us under their wings so to speak. I will let you know when my 10 biddies get into the best chicken coop in Santa Rosa County!! Yea, thank you husband!!

 

[yoda2293]

Thanks for all the feedback! You guys are a great resource & community.

I guess i'll "take the plunge" and get them out to the coop in the next few weeks.