Removing extra heat?

[Marianne25]

Hi all, my 7 chicks are now 4 weeks old and almost fully feathered. They are still in my living room (!) and for the last week or two have only had mama heating pad (we lost the heat lamp a while ago). My house won't drop below 68-72 over the next several nights. (Actually it will probably be warmer than that as temps outside will be in the upper 80's while I'm gone) I have to leave town for a couple of days (I have friends coming to check and make sure their water is shavings-free a couple of times a day).

I cleaned their pen and left the heating pad out to see if they'd settle down and they did; they're sleeping in a little group and seem content.

Is it ok to have no supplemental heat? I know the guideline is 75 at 4 weeks, but I feel like they are close enough. Just wanted to get opinions before I leave in the morning. Thanks, you're all awesome.

By the way, the girls have their own Facebook page if you'd like to see some pics. Search "Adventures in Chicken Farming"

 

[Rod-T]

I think so..house is warm enough

 

[Blooie]

Plenty warm for them. My 4 weekers were out in the run and almost fully integrated with the adults - no supplemental heat - and they did great. Of course, I brood outdoors in the run so they were acclimated to lower temps, so yours are in much more warmth than mine ever were. You can turn off the heating pad completely. They don't need it anymore either. Leave the cave set up (if that's what you have) and they'll still sleep on top of it or maybe go underneath just out of habit, but do start weaning them off any heat. Good luck, and have a safe trip.