These chicks have me stumped about bedtime

[rosemarythyme]

They are moving out into the coop soon (not sure when I should do that? I was thinking this weekend or next if the weather is fair.

Go by temperatures. If it's still pretty moderate and the coop is 100% finished then this weekend would be fine.

They are 8 days old today) I am worried they will be extremely panicked out there. Should I put the brooder box in there first? Or just put them out in the open in there with their heat plate? It is ~150 sq ft and the brooder is ~35 sq ft.

I would put the brooder in there with the heat plate and open up one side if possible to allow them to come and go as they wish. It gives them something of a home base to return to, where they know food and warmth will be.

Also regarding the coop. I was thinking of keeping a single bulb on 24 hrs a day for the first 2-3 days so they aren't in darkness until they've been in there for a few nights and settled a bit. Do you have any thoughts on this?

How well lit is the interior of the coop? If you have a good number of windows or vents then adding artificial light really isn't necessary, especially since it sounds like you've been trying to give them a day/night cycle already (even if they haven't been agreeable with it!)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think keeping the lights on 24/7 is a bad plan. It's unnatural and they won't rest. They need a period of darkness in order to sleep. I agree with @rosemarythyme , try to keep them in a normal, natural rhythm of day/night sleep/wake cycle.

 

[Collieoftheborder]

How well lit is the interior of the coop? If you have a good number of windows or vents then adding artificial light really isn't necessary, especially since it sounds like you've been trying to give them a day/night cycle already (even if they haven't been agreeable with it!)

There is an East and a West facing window so it's decently bright in there. Thanks for helping me come up with a plan. One more question if I could! I have a fully covered and predator proof run attached to the coop. It is a true fortress. At what age do you think I should give them unlimited daily access to that? My neighbor with chickens said about 5 weeks. But I honestly have no clue if that's right or not. These are all Austrolorps and New Hampshires.

 

[Collieoftheborder]

I think keeping the lights on 24/7 is a bad plan. It's unnatural and they won't rest. They need a period of darkness in order to sleep. I agree with @rosemarythyme , try to keep them in a normal, natural rhythm of day/night sleep/wake cycle.

I'm big on the natural sleep cycle too so I like this plan