I need advice about moving the chicks to the outside coop. I have 2 groups of chicks. One is now 10 weeks, the other is 4 weeks. The outdoor coop is finally ready for the 10 week olds. I am in New Orleans where the weather is subtropical and fairly mild. But now the weather is predicted to be down to 37 F at night in the next few days. Here are the expected lows in the next few days: 56 (tonight), 42, 39, 42, 37 F, and then getting back up into the upper 40s and low 50s. Daytime temps are 70s today, then 55 to 62 over the next few days.
The lowest temp they have experienced so far is probably 50 F. They have been out on an unheated porch for 4 weeks in a nice big cage they are comfortable in still.
I am worried that these lower temps will be too shocking for them. But I also have a time pressure with the younger set. They absolutely need to move into the bigger cage that the older ones are currently in. I do have another large cage I could set up if it is thought that it's just too sudden to move the older set into the outdoors. I was hoping to simply move the youngers into the cage that is already set up. But now I'm confused and worried about the weather.
I have a 40W red light bulb that I am planning to move outside with the chicks in the new coop. I could go ahead and purchase another infrared heating unit to put into the coop to make sure they have supplemental heat, if it's thought that would be best. I don't know at what point supplemental heat is recommended if at all with my coop design.
Per Robert Plamondon, the coop has one wall that is all hardware cloth (on studs). I have a 6-mil plastic sheet that I can raise and lower according to their needs.
Please I need advice quickly.
The lowest temp they have experienced so far is probably 50 F. They have been out on an unheated porch for 4 weeks in a nice big cage they are comfortable in still.
I am worried that these lower temps will be too shocking for them. But I also have a time pressure with the younger set. They absolutely need to move into the bigger cage that the older ones are currently in. I do have another large cage I could set up if it is thought that it's just too sudden to move the older set into the outdoors. I was hoping to simply move the youngers into the cage that is already set up. But now I'm confused and worried about the weather.
I have a 40W red light bulb that I am planning to move outside with the chicks in the new coop. I could go ahead and purchase another infrared heating unit to put into the coop to make sure they have supplemental heat, if it's thought that would be best. I don't know at what point supplemental heat is recommended if at all with my coop design.
Per Robert Plamondon, the coop has one wall that is all hardware cloth (on studs). I have a 6-mil plastic sheet that I can raise and lower according to their needs.
Please I need advice quickly.