Planning for spring chicks

[WaveyCreekChickens]

I ended up putting chicken wire around the bottom of the first, smaller outside pen.

I am starting to integrate the chicks now. They are 5 weeks old now. They got to explore the main coop today, while the adults were locked out.
First it was a bit scary.

Then they became more comfortable.

And the best part was when they discovered the sun spot under the window.

Question
Do I still need to keep the mama cave on (heated)? It is warm here now, not super hot, and the nights go down to 50* in the coop. The chicks sit mostly on top.

 

[Blooie]

Nah, you can turn it off now. You can probably even remove it completely. They won’t like it, but they can’t depend on it for security forever.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

Nah, you can turn it off now. You can probably even remove it completely. They won’t like it, but they can’t depend on it for security forever.

Ok, thanks!

 

[maryn7]

Very brave babies!

Maybe it's hard to see from their dark color, but a couple of your chicks still look more downy than feathery in that last photo. If it were me with temps in the 50s, I'd give them the option until the least feathered is also mostly sitting on top (maybe they already are).

I moved mine to my coop at 4 weeks. I used a brooder plate, not a full MHP, and I left it in for another week or so after it was clear the chicks were mostly roosting at night (at about 5 weeks). Gave me peace of mind if there was a cold snap or someone couldn't find her sisters to snuggle in the dark.

 

[springvalley123]

Very brave babies!

Gave me peace of mind if there was a cold snap or someone couldn't find her sisters to snuggle in the dark.

It probably gave the chicks peace of mind too, and made the move less stressfull and therefore more healthy for them.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

Very brave babies!

Maybe it's hard to see from their dark color, but a couple of your chicks still look more downy than feathery in that last photo. If it were me with temps in the 50s, I'd give them the option until the least feathered is also mostly sitting on top (maybe they already are).

I moved mine to my coop at 4 weeks. I used a brooder plate, not a full MHP, and I left it in for another week or so after it was clear the chicks were mostly roosting at night (at about 5 weeks). Gave me peace of mind if there was a cold snap or someone couldn't find her sisters to snuggle in the dark.

Yes, they still have some fluff.
I just turned it off but left the cave. That way, of I am doubtful I can turn it on again if I think they need it. I am very much like you with the peace of mind.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

The chicks are 8 weeks old, and still have not ventured outside! My coop is large and the chicks seem to enjoy their time roaming and exploring it. The chicks eat from the big feeders (all have chick feed), and are occasionally chased by the bottom adult hens. They can still run to their safe haven, but soon will be too big for the portals.
At night they roost as close to the adults as they can.