I'm looking at acquiring some large framed Brahmas, light and Buff, that are approximately 7 weeks old. It been YEARS since I've had chickens and am trying to remember if they will need heat at that age. I'm planning on temporarily housing them in a couple larger rabbit cages until I get their outdoor setup done. The barn is not heated...but in winter will be to about 45-50 degrees. Any advice appreciated! Sheri in MN
7-week old chicks should be fine with no supplemental heat unless temperatures get down below 50-60 degrees Farenheit. They'll be nice and warm in the winter, even if you don't heat the barn--chickens are very hardy in cold weather as long as they are in a draft free, well-ventilated place (after all, they have their own built-in down blankets!).
They'll be fine. Feathers are a great insulator. Cold doesn't effect them near as much as wind or wet, so as long as they're dry and not drafty you should be good, even down to freezing.