To coop or not to coop?

[DaviJones]

Thanks for all the great advice!
Do you all think that I could/should turn off the heat lamp(I'll still probably keep them indoors, coop isn't completed yet)? I would really like too

 

[AllynTal]

Turn it off. The chicks will tell you if they're cold. Put a huddlebox in there so they can huddle together. If they're cold, you'll hear it in their distressed chirps. Spend $15 at Walmart and get a heating pad that does NOT have auto-shutoff. If they are cold, turn the pad on low and put it in the huddlebox. If they've been living with the heat lamp on 24/7, you'll be amazed how quiet they'll be once the lights go out for the night.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I'm a newbie too! I was lucky, I saw posts about dust bathes. I can see where they would look like a seizure or something though. So cute though! Is it normal to only have a few dustbathing?(I only have my EE and one Orpington dustbathing out of 6 chickens, Im guessing they just do it in their own time though.)

My flock started digging and foraging as soon as I started taking them outside. I'd sit there with them and watch them waste no time throwing earth all over themselves. They were probably three weeks old. I'm sure all of yours will eventually join in the fun of burrowing into dirt and dust!

 

[JesusHChicken]

Momma stayed with her chicks until 4 weeks old. They've been outside the entire time. At 4 weeks it was dropping to 40F at night. They're 12 weeks and it's low 30's. Snowed 3 weeks ago.

I had no idea chick's could be so hardy. Chicks feather out faster outside than if they were inside under a lamp. 13 out of 13 are doing fine. Soon as I cull my older roosters the pullets will be moved to coop.

 

[DaviJones]

Sorry I've been off a while. Turned off the heat lamp on Saturday morning, and made a huddle box. They seem to be doing great, and they do peep a lot less(they didn't sound like desperate peeps before, still hope I wasn't distressing them with the heat lamp.) So far they haven't used the huddle box at all, they just curl up in the corner together and look all adorable. Still working on the coop, but I might need to move it, neighbor issues. Thank you so much for the advice... and featured!

 

[chickensrock12]

It depends, does it snow where you live? They should be at least 8 weeks and should still have a heat lamp or heat pad until they are at least 3 months old. Chicks can't regulate their temperatures that young of age. I live in a colder part of the US and had to keep my chicks in my house until they were about 3 months old. If you live in year round heat, they should be fine. But if you are in a cold part of the world, you should have a heat lamp with them until they are three months old. during those 3 months you should lower the temperature 5 degrees every other week. Sometimes even fully matured chickens still need a heat pad or roost at times. I wouldn't recommend a heat lamp for the adults tho, it keeps them up at night and then they get stressed and won't lay eggs. Also your coop should be well insulated if you live somewhere where it snows.

If you live in a warmer part of the world, they will be just fine. There coop should be thinner so the flock doesn't get heat stroke or get sick. They should also be fine in temperatures between 90 degrees to 60 degrees year round with a couple of storms. They will all be fine to be put in at 8 weeks. I would finish up the coop first and buy a heat roost for them in the winter. Also I would like to see your coop. I hope it goes all as weel with you and your chicks.

 

[Ashley McDaniel]

Thanks for the reply! I'm using a brooder lamp, will it make any difference, and would be okay to turn the lamp off as we keep the house about 75 degrees and live in the desert Southwest.

Hey there! Your chicks are too cute btw! I have 2, 1 month old silkies and they are still inside due to the temps going in the 20's and 30's at night here in the north eastern part of the U.S. The temp in my house stays at 70° F so I recently removed the heat lamp and they are doing great without it!

 

[DaviJones]

Thanks for the advice! I live in Yuma, AZ, I think its one of those places that is warm year round but 50-60 degrees feels cold to me, I'm used to the triple digits I will definitely wait a bit and get a heat pad though. I'll be sure to post some pictures of the coop when I'm done, I'm flattered that you're interested, that's really sweet I'm kind of putting two layers of walls for lack of a better term so the walls are chicken wire in the Summer and wood in the Winter.


Aww thanks Ashley! I'm doing the same thing, so glad that yours are doing well! You shold post some pictures of them, I want to see!

 

[Folly's place]

Don't plan on using chicken wire anywhere! Hardware cloth, well secured, and maybe woven wire over that. Mary

 

[DaviJones]

Oh, what's wrong with chicken wire, I heard its hard on their feet and doesn't keep some predators out, but I not using it on the floor and the only predators we have are hawks and the occasional stray cat.