Outside run access

[Jolene20]

Hi all! I'm raising my first 10 chickies and have a question for you all. We moved the chicks to their outside coop 4 days ago. I bought them at a feed store and think they are 7-8 weeks old. Ive had them almost 7 weeks. Most have all their feathers but a few have a tiny bit of baby down sticking out of their heads. The coop is 4x5 and 4ft tall with good ventilation. I have 2 heat lamps hanging as the temps dropped here from 60's to 30 yesterday with snow. Ugggg. Is it safe to open their door to their outdoor enclosure? It's a heavy steel enclosure with a top and canvas cover. They would be able to go in coop under heat if they wanted. I dont want to chill anyone . Thanks

 

[sirromyesdnil]

We only have 4 chicks, and about the same age. We are testing them out in the coop during our warm days for a little space and bring them back to the garage at night for some warmth. 30 seems awfully low. Can you use a thermometer to see what the temp is this evening? That's what I'd really worry about. When it gets cool, how cold is your coldest going to be?

 

[Mamatomany123]

I would start weaning them from the heat. My 6 week old chicks are outside in their run/coop and we were only a high of 30 yesterday. They dont have any heat source. They are plenty old enough and feathered out to be able to keep themselves warm. My chicks have been off of heat since 4 weeks old.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Do you have a picture? I've never seen a feed store sell 7-8 week old chicks. Most times they are only a few days old.

 

[Jolene20]

Do you have a picture? I've never seen a feed store sell 7-8 week old chicks. Most times they are only a few days old.

I've had them for almost 7 weeks. Assuming they were a week or younger when I got them.

 

[Jolene20]

I would start weaning them from the heat. My 6 week old chicks are outside in their run/coop and we were only a high of 30 yesterday. They dont have any heat source. They are plenty old enough and feathered out to be able to keep themselves warm. My chicks have been off of heat since 4 weeks old.

Should I turn off lamps during the day?

 

[Mamatomany123]

Should I turn off lamps during the day?

I'm not sure. I weaned mine by slowly lowering the heat until it met the outside temp.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Heat lamps in a coop is a fire hazard, 2 seems like overkill especially in such a small area. They should've already been weaned off the heat already, but since they're not I would do that before letting them out. If you can dim them or replace the bulbs with lower wattage that's one way to do it. Reduce the heat a little every few days until they're completely off of it.