Poults sleeping outside

[MamaRoo]

Hi all, I have my three 6-week old poults outside with the chickens. One was raised by a silkie, the other two were acquired after they had lived three weeks in a feed store. That had some health issues but seem to be doing better.

They seem to want to sleep on the pile of straw on top of the brooder box, but last night they "chickened" out and slept in the coop with the rest of the girls. I need to know if I can stop getting up at midnight to check on them......

Temps are expected to be in the low to mid 50's
There are three of them
I put plastic outside the pen on that corner to block the wind and piled a bit of straw there as well

If they decide to stay there tonight will they be OK or should I get up at midnight again to check on them?

 

[Lagerdogger]

I have found that after four weeks, poults prefer to sleep outside. I used to chase them back inside the heated brooder, but now I let them decide. if they are cold, the door is open and the light is on.

 

[MamaRoo]

Thanks. I'm sort of coming to the same conclusion - that they'll figure it out. So far they've gone in with the chickens, but I spent the day putting in a turk-sturdy roost, so we'll see how upset everyone is and if they manage to figure out the new sleeping positions. Fortunately we're having a spate of nice weather so there are many options.