Transitioning chicks to outdoor brooder

[KMJonzy]

My two week old chicks are currently in an indoor brooder. The ambient temp in the room is 60 degrees, and they have their heat lamp in the brooder, of course.

Their long-term coop is almost finished and I’m wondering about transferring the brooder out there at some point in the near future. How can I start preparing the chicks? Is it safe to just start gradually lowering the ambient temperature in the room they’re in, with the understqnding I may need to lower their heat lamp to keep that temp where I want it to be? Or is there a better way to transition?

They’re going to outgrow their little space soon and I could give them more room if I move them out to the coop.

 

[Missbc]

Days in the coop, night inside for a bit if you’d like.

I had mine in the unfinished basement which was roughly 55 degrees, sometimes a bit cooler. I put them out at 4 weeks, mostly feathered except their heads. They use the premier plate for warmth and have a medium dog crate with a cover on it for nighttime. I didn’t move them back and forth. Just moved them right out. It’s been as cool as 37 overnight since.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you're lowering the ambient temperature, you don't want to move the heat lamp closer to compensate... the point is to reduce their heat dependence overall.

 

[KMJonzy]

If you're lowering the ambient temperature, you don't want to move the heat lamp closer to compensate... the point is to reduce their heat dependence overall.

Ahh, ok that makes sense - thank you!!

 

[KMJonzy]

Days in the coop, night inside for a bit if you’d like.

I had mine in the unfinished basement which was roughly 55 degrees, sometimes a bit cooler. I put them out at 4 weeks, mostly feathered except their heads. They use the premier plate for warmth and have a medium dog crate with a cover on it for nighttime. I didn’t move them back and forth. Just moved them right out. It’s been as cool as 37 overnight since.

This is super helpful; thank you!

 

[gander007]

Once the feathers start growing you can start lowering the temp but with only two chicks I would keep a heat source available at night for some time and a good safe surrounding at night ..

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Welcome to byc!! Glad the flock (AKA byc members) could help! Let me know if you need anything else!

 

[KMJonzy]

Once the feathers start growing you can start lowering the temp but with only two chicks I would keep a heat source available at night for some time and a good safe surrounding at night ..

Oops, I just realized the way I worded my sentence was confusing. I have 7 chicks, and at the time of my post, they were two weeks old. I definitely didn't make that clear!