To put them out. Or not to put them out?

[someplumbcoop]

I have 6 rhode island red chicks. Their neck feathers have all grown in and they are about 4 and a half weeks old. I'm thinking about moving them outside this weekend. It stays around the mid 70s in the day time but is cooler at night. Do you think they will be ok?

 

[crazygoatlady915]

They would probably be ok if you left a heatlamp in their coop, so they could retreat to the coop when they got cold

 

[Fred's Hens]

Mine have been "out" from day one. Of course, they'll still need a "warm spot" for another few weeks. After that? No. Plus, the weather will be nicer. Just hang a directional 125 wt lamp above them, 24 inches, taking all care and precautions, and they will be more than fine.

 

[belly]

I need to move mine out to the garage my wife can't stand the smell anymore it has been in the 30s at night and 60 during the day would they be OK if I give them a red heat lamp or what should I give them for heat

 

[Fred's Hens]

Mine have been outside, in an unheated garage from day 1.

Yes, a heat lamp that makes an 80 degree warm spot is all they need. We've had nights in the 20's and they could have cared less.
Today was 52!!! Woooooot!!!!

 

[someplumbcoop]

Thanks for the help

I'm not sure if I will be able to get a heat lamp out to the coop. They will be in the coop for at least a couple of weeks. The coup is a tractor like thing with a couple tarps over it. They will have an area to get grass but that is still closed in the tractor. If I can't put the light in will they be ok, or should I wait a few weeks?

 

[teach1rusl]

If you can't do a lamp, I'd wait a few weeks. At 4 1/2 weeks, you'd still want temps 65-70 available to them. Can you run an outdoor rated extension cord to the coop???

Since you don't have a lot of chicks to deal with, maybe they could stay in the coop during the day, and bring them in at night (a small pet carrier makes for a quick transfer) for another week or two???

 

[Fred's Hens]

Or pull the tractor up toward the house/garage and use an extension cord? Temporarily.