Too soon or not too soon.... that is the question....

[chaz1]

Okay guys.... I have two separate ages of chicks, some will be 5 weeks Sat. And some will be 4 weeks Sat..... I struggled hard with the decision of moving them out doors... I moved them to the run/coop in my pics.. but I closed off the sides ect so the air wouldn't get in, I also used wheat straw as bedding and the heat lamp is in there with them.....They were becoming very rowdy And 16 chicks in my living room was a bit much.... The older they got the more mess and smellier ...... Lol.... I am praying I didn't make a wrong choice and loose them...... Any thoughts?....

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I brood mine in a shed sometimes with lights. If your temps are OK under the light and there isn't a draft they should be fine. Make sure you have your lamp VERY secure though and that it is far away from bedding and walls, etc.

 

[chaz1]

It's 12:30 am where I am .... And I haven't slept... Every hour or so I go to the Window to see if I can see movement.... Lol.:... The lamp is wired to the roof of the coop and through the side..... I am not sure about the temp in there though..... Tonight is going to be the coldest night for about a week.... And its 37..... I pray the little things will make it through tonight....

 

[chaz1]

By the way Thanks so much for the reply

 

[redriver]

I was at a friend's house the other day. Temperatures were probably in the 50s. In his shaded backyard there were two week old chicks following their mama around scratching and eating and having a great time. I was there for about an hour. Not once did they act cold or in distress. I asked my friend about that, and he said that they first came out of the coop at three days. When they got cold they would start peeping and mom would get down and warm them up. Since they were gradually exposed to the chilly daytime temperatures they had developed the feathers and down for it.

So, the lesson I learned from that is start acclimating them early, and provide a warm place for them to escape to. Let them self regulate the temperatures they need.

If you are worried about them outside tonight, go and check. If they are happily sleeping, then they are probably fine.

 

[missnu01]

I moved 4 pekin ducks to a brooder outside that are between 2 & 3 weeks old. It gets in the 20s and 30s here so far, but the lowest temp under the light has been 84. So I know they'll be alright. Moving the meat birds out there tomorrow

 

[chaz1]

Thanks!.... I have been to the window 4 times to check but that isn't good enough for me... Lol I'll go outside and unlock the coop and see..... It will be almost 70 tomorrow and night 46.... But weather here is wishy washy right now... Some days warm, some cold, ect ect....really never know what to expect....lol Thanks again

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Our temps dip down to the 30's too sometimes when I brood out in the shed and they are fine if they can have that nice hot spot to warm up with. What is a bad thing is for the wind to be whistling through the brooder. Sounds like your chicks will be fine.

Make sure they have some room to get away from the light if the coop heats up during the day, since overheating is very dangerous for chicks. 4 week old chicks need 75-80 degree temps and 5 week olds need 70-75 degrees (at least part of the coop/brooder needs to be warm). Of course they can tolerate warmer than that but if it gets to be 100 degrees in there they might suffer. If you see panting they are in danger of dying.

 

[chaz1]

Thanks so much again to all of you..... And yes they can escape the heat.... If they dare try the ramp.... lol so far they have been scared of trying it.... The coop is attaches to an enclosed run.....

 

[chaz1]

Ok..... So It's now almost 1:30a and I just came back inside from checking on the chicks... Some are resting the rest were up wondering around... Lol I guess maybe the dogs barking startled them and they had to see what was up.... Lol but I guess they will be just fine since day will break here in about 4 hours and things will warm up..... Thanks all ... Gnight.. Zzzz.....