Too cold for coop? Chicks 6 weeks

[Nicole01]

Is it too cold for my oldest chicks for the coop? It's been a bit cooler hereand it's going to get down in the low 30's. The chicks have all their feathers and they are 6 weeks old. I don't have a heat lamp for them due to using it for the babies. What do you think? Should I wait a while? They are getting cramped in the dog kennel.

 

[jeepchick]

I'm wondering the same thing...my kitchen is getting mighty smelly with 36 chicks in there...would love to boot some of them outside but its gonna be in the 30's tonight in NH and I would be up all night checking on them. Where do you live Nicole?

 

[CowgirlPenny]

All my chicks go outside at 4 weeks old. My first batch we just put outside, no light and they are big gorgeous 10 week old ladies.

My second batch we use a light at night only because they are not in a nice warm coop like the older ones, they are in a rabbit cage in my carport. At 6 weeks and fully feathered, I'd put them out.

 

[gritsar]

Providing that you wean them off of their heat lamp first - don't just take them from being warm and toasty under the heat and stick them out in the coop - they should do absolutely fine in a draft free predator proof coop at 6 weeks old.

I have some chicks that will be 5 weeks old on Monday. Mama is not taking them under her at night anymore. Our nighttime lows are in the high 30s, low 40s and they are doing great.

 

[Nicole01]

They haven't had the heat for a few days. They were too hot in the brooder. I put them in the coop for a couple hours and brought them back in. They did not like it. I brought them back in and I can't settle them down. Hopefully, they will go to sleep soon. I put a blanket over the dog kennel.

 

[briteday]

If it's warm tomorrow I'd put them out in the coop during the day, check to see that they are eating and drinking, then leave them for the night. They'll be fine. We've been in the 30's and 40's at night, mine went out at 4 weeks old and they have not had any problems. Even some days have not gotten out of the 40's here.

 

[Nicole01]

Quote:
I'm planning this. I'm going to bring the dog kennel out there too, so they are not so scared. They finally went to sleep for the night.