Night time coop temps

[collickchickens]

As our chicks are getting older what temperature should we strive to maintain in the coop at night. My husband is concerned with it getting too hot or cold

 

[bobbi-j]

A little more information would be helpful. How old are the chicks? How cold is it getting at night? Are they fully feathered? Do they have enough space to get away from the heat if they want?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

We need the information asked for in order to help you. Lots of good folks here willing and ready!

 

[collickchickens]

They were hatched on May 4. We are in northern Mi so the temps are in the upper 50 to mid 60s at night. They are fully feathered. And are a mix of sillies. Sizzles and regular feathered birds.

 

[collickchickens]

My reply seems to have disappeared. They hatched may 4 th. I believe they are fully feathered. We are in Northern Michigan our nighttime temps have been upper 50- mid 60 They are a mix of silkies sizzles and regular feathered chickens

 

[Donna R Raybon]

Rule of thumb is decrease five degrees Fahrenheit every week. Too much heat and they feather out slow. I use ceramic heat emitter instead of heat lamp as they can sleep at night without light. I do provide lighting during daylight hours.

A draft free place to roost and a full crop going to roost will help keep them warm. If too young to roost then something to huddle in is good. But be sure no corners and enough space to prevent pile up and smothering.

My BCM are a month old and have not had any heat source since three weeks old. They are out on grass all day with a dog igloo for shelter and in the house at night. Daytime in eighties and nineties and night time sixties.

If hatching in cooler temps or time of year I adjust.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

They were hatched on May 4. We are in northern Mi so the temps are in the upper 50 to mid 60s at night. They are fully feathered. And are a mix of sillies. Sizzles and regular feathered birds.

They should be fine with no heat if as described. Also, how many of them are there?

 

[collickchickens]

There is a total of 8 - 3 silkies 2 sizzles and 3 regular feathers. My husband thinks they still need to stay in the 70 degree range at night or they'll get sick. I thought they were past that stage

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The temperatures stated are actually the maximum temp needed. They lead us to believe the temp needs to be that constantly, but that's actually what it needs to be when they need to go warm up from getting cold.

I would leave them without heat and check on them. If they are loud peeping and upset maybe they are cold. But they should be ok.

It's awesome that your hubby is concerned and wants the best for them!

 

[bobbi-j]

At a month and a half, they are fine without heat at night with those temps. Too warm is actually harder on them than too cold.