putting baby chicks outside

[sassychiken]

Ok so here is my question (and I don't have chicks yet but I'm prepping

)...

Down here in S. Texas it is already well into the 90's during the day, and mid to high 70's at night. Do I really need to worry about an indoor brooder pen with a light and all that for baby chicks at this point? It seems so hot outside already where I'm located!!!

Thanks!

Amber

 

[Gonzo]

how old are they? and, how cold does it get at night?

 

[Gonzo]

gonzo&hispeeps :

how old are they? and, how cold does it get at night?

okay 70's at night. I would keep a light in there at night only.​

 

[gritsar]

No you don't. I brooded my chicks in a draft free shed for their first two weeks. Then the shed became too hot during the day (late April) because it did not have ventilation. Their coop wasn't ready, so at two weeks we moved them to the screened porch with their heat lamps and draft guard; using one lamp during the day, two at night.
By 5 1/2 weeks, they were still on the porch and we stopped using the lights altogether (Mid-May).
They can be brooded outside at any age as long as the building you house them in is draft free and predator proof.
Good luck with your chicks.

 

[annek]

If the chicks huddle then yes you need it, I would probably do it with a lower wattage bulb for a few days just to see if it was needed. Better to be overly cautious than to have crushed/dead chicks.

 

[gritsar]

Please note, I was addressing the issue of having chicks in the house. Not whether they need a heat lamp or not.