Supplemental Heat

[peasant_girl]

We have fifteen 6-week-old chicks. We took them out of the brooder box last week and put them into the coop. All but two of them are fully feathered. The other two are almost fully feathered, probably 90%. Our temperatures are ranging from 9 to 45 degrees at night, and in the 20's to mid-50's during the day. Do they need supplemental heat at this stage?

 

[PirateGirl]

Did you gradually condition them to the colder outdoor temps?

 

[FortCluck]

I would gradually introduced them to those temps because that's quite the temp difference. I would give them supplemental heating, but turn it off for more time each week. Then shut it off completely.

 

[nchls school]

Did you gradually condition them to the colder outdoor temps?

And if you didn't, then, yes, they should have supplemental heat for those days where the temps dip.

 

[PirateGirl]

When I transitioned chicks to outdoors in the cold, for awhile they were locked in the coop only until weather improved, since it's warmer without a breeze than the run.

This also homed them to the coop.

Plus they had difficulty with the ramp initially and I didn't have to worry about one getting stuck outside and freezing while I was at work.

 

[peasant_girl]

We're trying to do that now, but the temperatures are so bi-polar here.

Did you gradually condition them to the colder outdoor temps?

 

[peasant_girl]

When I transitioned chicks to outdoors in the cold, for awhile they were locked in the coop only until weather improved, since it's warmer without a breeze than the run.

This also homed them to the coop.

Plus they had difficulty with the ramp initially and I didn't have to worry about one getting stuck outside and freezing while I was at work.

We're leaving them in the coop until they are bigger and the weather warms up.