My 10 chicks, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 3 weeks, all like to bundle up together in the run under their coop at night to sleep. It has been getting to the low 50's here at night, and in the mid-70's to 80's in the day. The ladder into the coop is down, and they all know how to go up and down it easily. I have their food and water in the run below the coop as well. It is secure to any predators. Can they sleep "outside" at this age? They are not under the light at all when inside the coop, and I've switched the 120W heat bulb to a regular 75W bulb. I'm just getting tired of having to crawl under the coop and put them into the coop at night, when they have the capability to do it themselves. Last night when imoved them, they all felt warm and cozy, even the youngest ones. Thanks for your help! Dan
My chicks were huddling together right outside the coop door at night instead of going in, so I would put them in the coop one by one and close the door. They would have been secure, but the worry wart that I am told me to put them in. Anyway, since they cannot see at night, I decided to turn the light on in their coop around 7:00 p.m. and have it go off around 8:15 pm. This was enough for them to wonder toward the light when it got dark out and stay there. Once I see that they are all in, I shut the door and they are good for the night. There are several posts on here about training the chicks to go in at night.
At least for the 3 week olds, you should definitely put them inside at night. At that age, it is much too cold for them. They should have temperatures of around 80 degrees.
