What low temperature is too cold for 4 week chicks?

[jgflock]

Our babies will be 4 weeks old tomorrow. We moved them outside on Friday because temps here have been 90° high and 70° low. Tonight however the low will dip down to 54° around 6am before going back up to mid 70's.

Should I bring them back inside or will they be ok? There are 6 of them and they normally sleep together, even when they were in the house. They don't currently seemed distressed, they are running around and chirping.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Are they fully feathered? Do they just rely on each other for heat, or do they still use a heat plate, lamp, or heating pad?

The coop looks very open. If mine were outside at 4 weeks, I would cover it up to keep out any breeze and let the earth's heat stay inside. My guess is they will be fine, but I'm not an expert.

Watching . . .

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Oh duh, that's the run that's open!

I'd make sure there's plenty of shavings, straw, or hay (whatever you're using) inside the coop. Insulation!

 

[jgflock]

Oh duh, that's the run that's open!

I'd make sure there's plenty of shavings, straw, or hay (whatever you're using) inside the coop. Insulation!

Thru

Are they fully feathered? Do they just rely on each other for heat, or do they still use a heat plate, lamp, or heating pad?

The coop looks very open. If mine were outside at 4 weeks, I would cover it up to keep out any breeze and let the earth's heat stay inside. My guess is they will be fine, but I'm not an expert.

Watching . . .

They aren't completely feathered, about 90%. They haven't figured out climbing the ladder to get in the coop so they sleep in the front corner of the enclosed coop.

 

[jgflock]

Thru



They aren't completely feathered, about 90%. They haven't figured out climbing the ladder to get in the coop so they sleep in the front corner of the enclosed coop.

Also, they don't have a heat lamp, just each other.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I'd cover the sides of the run, then, and provide extra bedding. Or just bring them in for the night. Likely they'll be fine either way, but I'm a worry-mom.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You could put a "huddle"box in for them and extra shavings/bedding in it. A cardboard box that they all fit in, upside down, cut out an entrance ... Will help to retain their body heat but it's new to them, you may have to put them in until they get the hang of it. Even a small plastic dog/cat carrier will help. As trumpeting_angel stated, make sure there's no draft going through the area, main concern....Maybe wrap with tarp or something.

You're going to have to teach them the ramp ... For a few days make a trail of feed or treats going up the ramp. You could also put them in the coop at nights, they'll figure out how to come down, how high is the entrance from the ground? Best to keep a good layer of shavings in the run section.

 

[jgflock]

I'd cover the sides of the run, then, and provide extra bedding. Or just bring them in for the night. Likely they'll be fine either way, but I'm a worry-mom.

I went ahead and covered the coop. It's already pretty sheltered but I'm hoping this will keep the rest of the wind off of them.

 

[jgflock]

You could put a "huddle"box in for them and extra shavings/bedding in it. A cardboard box that they all fit in, upside down, cut out an entrance ... Will help to retain their body heat but it's new to them, you may have to put them in until they get the hang of it. Even a small plastic dog/cat carrier will help. As trumpeting_angel stated, make sure there's no draft going through the area, main concern....Maybe wrap with tarp or something.

You're going to have to teach them the ramp ... For a few days make a trail of feed or treats going up the ramp. You could also put them in the coop at nights, they'll figure out how to come down, how high is the entrance from the ground? Best to keep a good layer of shavings in the run section.

I put a few of them in the coop each day and they just turn around and run right down the ramp. They'll also fly up on the ramp but won't ever go inside.

 

[Kiki]

Our babies will be 4 weeks old tomorrow. We moved them outside on Friday because temps here have been 90° high and 70° low. Tonight however the low will dip down to 54° around 6am before going back up to mid 70's.

Should I bring them back inside or will they be ok? There are 6 of them and they normally sleep together, even when they were in the house. They don't currently seemed distressed, they are running around and chirping.

This (your low) is no where near too cold for them. They will be just fine.