opinions needed too cold for chicks

[mammat]

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Just because someone else does something does not mean it is necessary. I imagine you know that and that's why you posted. This is an internet forum. The moderators do a real good job of keeping it working within the rules, but they do not edit the responses for chicken correctness, just correct polite behavior.

I don't do Silkies, but I recently had some 5-1/2 week olds outside in a well ventilated grow-out pen without heat when the overnight low was in the mid-20's. There is more to it than just age. I did not throw them from a tropical heated environment directly into that weather. They were acclimated first. It sounds like yours are also acclimated. As long as the coop is ventilated well enough to keep the humidity and ammonia from building up, they should do OK.

I agree- The breeder had them out of her brooder for at least a week prior to when I got them and I have had them for almost 3 weeks. Now that I count they are actually at least 10 weeks old. I think the risk of fire with a heat lamp is greater than the cold. If you look on here or the internet you will be hard pressed to find information on chicks/chickens freezing to death but you can find alot about heat lamps burning up a coop. We have had chickens for 5 years but I usually have full grown chickens by wintertime. These silkies were a Christmas present for my daughter

The chickens are our pets BUT I think that heating them just makes them weak. We raised some 3 week olds outside without heat and they all did GREAT! It was summertime and their were 12 so they were plenty warm. I think if you heat them they do not feather out well. In addition our electric goes out on an almost weekly basis so we could lose them if they are used to the heat and then dont have it! Like I said I think I read toooooo much on here and start second guessing myself

 

[Pearce Pastures]

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x3

The only exception I would have to say is if there is an extreme temperature drop. Years ago, we had a ridiculous ice/ snow storm, and the temps were way below zero (seriously, the roads were all closed and cars were completely buried in snow. We couldn't open the back door of our house!). We were still fresh from the city and new to chickens, but figured they were probably fine since they had a nice barn, water, and food. We finally shoveled out a narrow path to the barn to get food and water to the birds but two had died (low girls on the totem pole) and then a few weeks later, another one lost the end of her toes from frostbite. I felt horrible, still do. Now, whenever we see a weather report for subzero weather, I get a heater on a timer set up.

Depending on where you live, you might not have this issue though.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

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In my experience silkies are faster to become cold than other breeds and especially so when at that age. I have seen silkie chicks shivering when my other chicks weren't at age 2 months in the fall. I would give heat for 16 degrees.

I give all my fall and winter chicks heat until 2-3 months old. By heat I mean that after they are fully feathered, I give a 100 watt bulb hanging low enough that they can huddle under it if needed in the coop. If they don't want it, it really doesn't heat the coop too much.

Also- I hang my clamp lamps two ways with metal wire so that the actual lamp shade and cord are suspended, not including the clamp. So if the light bulb and shade are separated, it still doesn't fall. Think flying chickens.