San Diego Coop with 8 Week Olds, Ditch the Heat?

[briecardosa]

My six 8-week old chicks have been living outside for a few weeks with no problem.

I continued to supply heat because they seemed to huddle under the lamp on the roost. And we've had some nights in the high 40's and we don't have an enclosed hen house.

But now I'm wondering if they still need the heat?

 

[Brahmachicken240]

At 8 weeks of age they shouldn’t need a heat lamp.

 

[Alaskan]

Awesome coop.

I am sure they don't need the heat... but turn it off and watch how they act.... since they are used to it they might want it off for the day, and on for night... maybe just 2 or 3 nights until they are weaned off.

Anyway, if they are going all over the place and exploring then they are fine.

If the are motionless and huddled in a corner they are cold (or sick)

 

[briecardosa]

So what do you make of this? I moved the heat lamp a few inches away from the roost and unplugged it until around 10pm. I heard a loud squak at some point after dark but when I checked they seemed comfy and relaxed on the roost and I didn't notice anything out of place.

This morning when I let them out I saw blood on the roost. No one seems injured at all and they seem to be acting normal.

Poops under the roosting bar and others I've seen since look normal.

Maybe they were fighting over roosting positions with the absence of the light and one sustained a minor injury that I can't detect?

Maybe I will turn the heat lamp on at dusk tonight?
Anything else I should do?

Paranoid.

 

[Alaskan]

Maybe they were fighting over roosting positions with the absence of the light and one sustained a minor injury that I can't detect?

Since they looked comfy on the roost last night... no, I wouldn't turn the light back on.

I think the blood is unrelated.

Since they are young... they are probably covered in blood feathers and those only need a little bump and can bleed all over! Blood feathers on the feet are especially delicate and easy to bump. Do any of your chicks have feathered feet?

A tiny, tiny cut on a toe nail or comb can bleed a great deal, and young birds are often just plain clumsy.

I would watch them closely and make sure there are no wounds that need to be addressed, but they are probably fine.

 

[The Lazy L]

...I continued to supply heat...

Chickens fully feathered? If yes then I believe the additional heat source is more of a benefit to your peace of mind then what good the heat does for your chickens.

 

[briecardosa]

Chickens fully feathered? If yes then I believe the additional heat source is more of a benefit to your peace of mind then what good the heat does for your chickens.

Haha!! Yes, agree...but of course I'm also afraid I'm going to burn the place down with the stupid light!

8 weeks, fully feathered.

 

[briecardosa]

Since they looked comfy on the roost last night... no, I wouldn't turn the light back on.

I think the blood is unrelated.

Since they are young... they are probably covered in blood feathers and those only need a little bump and can bleed all over! Blood feathers on the feet are especially delicate and easy to bump. Do any of your chicks have feathered feet?

A tiny, tiny cut on a toe nail or comb can bleed a great deal, and young birds are often just plain clumsy.

I would watch them closely and make sure there are no wounds that need to be addressed, but they are probably fine.

 

[briecardosa]

Thank you. This makes sense.

I had no idea about blood feathers...

 

[aart]

I see blood once in a while, it can be alarming, but usually do not find any wounds.
Often a pecked comb, which can bleed a lot but stops pretty quickly.

Nice Coop!!