Overnight temps - when to move outside?

[jkg]

How warm does it need to be overnight vs how old are the chicks before they can stay outside overnight?

We have 18 almost 4 week old birds that are still living in one of our showers converted into a brooder. I'd love to get them outside ASAP. The overnight lows here are pretty mild.... low temps around 55F - maybe 60F (sorry - I know many of you aren't seeing that for a daytime high yet!).

I'm looking for a specific answer in my case with fairly warm temperatures, but I'm sure others could use more general guidlines... at what age can chicks withstand what kind of low temp?

 

[sune42]

5 degrees for each week starting at 95, so 8 or 9 weeks would be my guess.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I have 4 and 5 week old outside in a growout coop. I do put a 100 watt light bulb on at night just to be sure they arent old. Today is the first day I turned it off during the day as the temps were higher. They seemed fine without it but the temps are still in the low 40's so I did turn the light on at dusk. If you are putting them in a coop I dont see why they couldnt go now. just watch and make sure you have some sort of heat for them if they need it.

 

[Chickens-246]

At four weeks the brooder temp should be at 75 degrees. But since you may want to take a shower after not having one for four weeks, I would put an IR heat lamp in the coop and kick them out. (just kidding about the no shower bit)

 

[urbanchicks76]

I live in CA and we have similar temps right now. I have been putting my chicks out during the day for about 2 weeks (4 week olds) and just kicked them out full time last week (5 week old). They are doing great!! They only have the light on at night. The Temps during the day have been very warm. I would say your chicks would be just fine outside in the coop with a light at night. They will be much Healthier to be outside as well.

 

[txchickie]

My 6 week olds are out in the garage brooder, without heat, and it's down to the upper 20's/low 30's at night. At 6 weeks old they should be fully feathered and be fine.

 

[jmagill]

Mine go to the coop at three weeks. It was 16 degrees last night. They have been out there almost two weeks.

I have a heat emitter out there, but they do snuggle together at night. They spend most of the day time (around 40 degrees)
on the side of the coop without any heat, just running back when ever they need a warm up.