- Apr 11, 2014
- 1
- 0
- 6
I am new to chickens, This is my first bunch of chicks. I have 7 that are now about 6 weeks old. They still have some down, but most of their feathers are in. I get advise from my son and started with my chicks in an unused bedroom in an old metal dog crate with a heat lamp and the sides of the crate covered. It made it easy for me to pull the base out and clean the tray. Several weeks ago they were moved outside into the garage with the heat lamp still on. I live in TN where we are still having some 40s at night and occasionally down in the upper 30's, so I put a small temp controlled heater in case the temps dropped to low. I have been opening the large garage door in the daytime to get them ready for the coop. They seem to like the air and act like they are ready to get. I have a large coop measuring 10 feet by 16 feet that's very secure. Should I wait until they have lost 100% of the down? They still have a little on their head and neck but all body feathers are in.