night tme temps

[sagr75]

At what age is it safe to keep chicks outside with nighttime temps in the low 70's? They will have a box inside the run with a light inside it if they need it.

 

[MorganC]

They can be outside at night in the low 70s by the time they are fully feathered.
Adult chickens can handle the cooler temps even with no light, down to (depending on the breed) to 32 degrees, though most don't like it that cold.
Be careful using the light once they get older as you don't want them to develop a dependency to artificial warmth. A house that is well insulated and has no drafts will be plenty of warmth for the birdies especially if they are housed with multiple other birds to cuddle up to.
If it gets really cold where you are, you might consider changing your roosts from round poles to 2 by 4s as this will cause the bird to spread their feet and that way the body can fully cover the toes, whereas with the round roost poles this is not possible and frost bite can occur.


Hope this helps!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

Is your run completely predator proof? 1/2" hardware cloth completely enclosing it, including over the top, and a skirt around all sides? Those babies are even more vulnerable to predators than full grown chickens. You might want to look at this article:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors

It greatly simplifies the brooding process. Once they are fully feathered, they can withstand temps that an adult chicken can tolerate.

For winter time concerns from pp: I don't worry about extra heat in my well ventilated coop until the temps get well below 0*F and stay there for days on end. I let chicken's behavior be the guide. If they get sluggish, or their appetite decreases, it's time for winter heat. You should not need any supplemental heat even in the dead of winter when they are feathered.

 

[donrae]

If they have access to a heat lamp, they can tolerate ambient temperature from day one. Broody hen's chicks do it all the time.