Question regarding temperature and moving to coop.

[alyaofnight]

Hello! New chicken owners here.
We have 4 barred rock hens that we would like to move to the coop soon. We currently have them in the garage with a heat lamp on... and are thinking of turning the heat lamp off tonight to start climatizing them.

The temperatures outside have been around -10 celcius some nights, and during the day 5 celcius or 10. They are 6.5 weeks old now. There is no heat lamp in the coop.

I was thinking of putting them into the cook around 7 weeks old..but dont want them to be too cold with the weather. Would this be ok? Or should I wait longer?

 

[M-H-Fielding]

Hello! New chicken owners here.
We have 4 barred rock hens that we would like to move to the coop soon. We currently have them in the garage with a heat lamp on... and are thinking of turning the heat lamp off tonight to start climatizing them.

The temperatures outside have been around -10 celcius some nights, and during the day 5 celcius or 10. They are 6.5 weeks old now. There is no heat lamp in the coop.

I was thinking of putting them into the cook around 7 weeks old..but dont want them to be too cold with the weather. Would this be ok? Or should I wait longer?

If they are fully feathered, and the weather isn't freezing, they should be fine.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I agree! If they aren't fully feathered yet, the cold won't be good.

 

[Trisseh]

Personally I would do as you mentioned. Turn the heat lamp off for a few nights to let them transition while still within the garage. If they’re fully feathered (I mean completely, face and everything lol) then they probably will be fine to go out in a few days after removing the heat source.
I’ve put 3 and 4 week old chicks out, with access to a heating pad with temps in single digits with no issues, but since you’ll be taking them from supplemental heat always above freezing, to no heat and below freezing, they’ll definitely benefit from a more gradual transition.

 

[M-H-Fielding]

I agree! If they aren't fully feathered yet, the cold won't be good.

My dad always said "If they have feathers, put them outside."
I always thought it was a better idea to look at the temperature first, LOL.

 

[PolloGal]

Hello everyone! I have 4 (barred rock, buff brahma, white rock and Dominique) 8.5 week old chickens that have been inside and off of any heat for several weeks. The coldest temperature they have been in is 40 degrees...and only once for a few hours. Mostly they have been in about 70 degrees. Their coop is all ready....electric fence and all...so we are anxious to give them more room, but worried about the transition of temperatures. I am in eastern TN and the nights are starting to drop to the high 20’s. Will that be too shocking for them?? Just worried about their comfort and well-being. Thanks SO much!

 

[WindingRoad]

Hello everyone! I have 4 (barred rock, buff brahma, white rock and Dominique) 8.5 week old chickens that have been inside and off of any heat for several weeks. The coldest temperature they have been in is 40 degrees...and only once for a few hours. Mostly they have been in about 70 degrees. Their coop is all ready....electric fence and all...so we are anxious to give them more room, but worried about the transition of temperatures. I am in eastern TN and the nights are starting to drop to the high 20’s. Will that be too shocking for them?? Just worried about their comfort and well-being. Thanks SO much!

Put your hand under a wing. Warm there isn't it. Put your hand under a nesting hen. Warmer under there. Chickens run at about 106 F, They can keep themselves warm. They do need to get out now to start growing their down coat. They are like some dogs. They have two coats. An under coat of down that when they roost they cover their feet and then they snuggle with another bird and fluff up their feathers to trap heat. if you keep them in a 70F shelter they won't grow their down coat and could have problems when it gets colder.

 

[PolloGal]

Thanks for your reply WindingRoad. I was just worried about the transition from 70 to 28 so abruptly. I feel better knowing it is ok from someone with experience (I am a newbie) and love having them.

 

[WindingRoad]

Thanks for your reply WindingRoad. I was just worried about the transition from 70 to 28 so abruptly. I feel better knowing it is ok from someone with experience (I am a newbie) and love having them.

Maybe just try putting them out during the day for a few days then try overnight. I have an Arizona Ice Tea jug in my coop. If it's frozen I know it was cold. In the winter of 18-19 it was only skimmed over a couple of times. I call my chickens my mini heaters. When someone tries to make me feel guilty I just tell them I have 13 mini heaters in my coop. And they are NOT a fire hazard. LOL

 

[PolloGal]

lol. Thanks again!