what should the night time temps be before I move my chicks to their coop outside?

[ArmyWife]

My chicks are 4 weeks and look fully feathered, some more so than the others. they go outside in day time and enjoy it a lot. They have outgrown the brooder in my garage. Our lows this week are low 60s. Should I bring them in under a heat lamp at night still?

 

[ArmyWife]

here's a few more pics

 

[ArmyWife]

 

[Fred's Hens]

Actually, it is time for an "in between", adjustment period step. Your temps are pretty chick friendly, but still, I'd not plunge them, at night, into 60 degrees temps, for another week. However, I'd eliminate the lamp altogether, at this point. Let them get used to 70 degrees for a few nights. If you have them in an indoor brooder, the ambient temps of your house are likely 70-75 which is plenty warm. Let them get used to that for a few nights. Also, let them get used to being in the dark at night. That too is a new experience for them. A week from now? With your climate? There would be no issues. Transition them, and they will be just fine.

 

[Aeropennchick]

Mine went out at four and a half weeks old without a heat lamp, and it dropped to the 20's a couple of times at night in the first two weeks! But there were eight of them and they just huddled together.

I think you should be fine with it in the 60's. If you hear them out there making loud peeps instead of sleeping, they are cold. If not, they are probably fine!

 

[Aeropennchick]

additional note: I did do a transition period, like Fred suggested above - forgot to mention that!

 

[ArmyWife]

thank you both for answering! This has been such a learning experience! I did bring them back in last night, and today since it was so warm (80s) I put them inside the coop to get them used to it. I read that they should spend 1 week shut inside the coop to learn that it is "home". I had the vent door open for some fresh air. one flies up and sits on top of water bottle often, and i didn't know that the water was knocked over. I checked on them after a few hours and they were all miserable, hot and panting with mouths open!!!! I was so scared, but i refreshed the water and took each one out and after a few minutes outside the coop and some fresh water, they all seemed normal. They have been eating, drinking and acting very normal ever since. Of course now I don't think I should ever shut them inside if it's too warm. I have been so worried about them being cold, I never thought I needed to worry about them getting too hot! I hope no long term damage was done from this. It hasn't rained with them outside yet, but was wondering if that's another "no no"?

 

[Nsampsel]

I never shut mine in the coop but mine don't free-range due to being in town. When I first put them out I placed them in the coop & let them find their own way to the run. The first couple nights I had to go out & put at least part of them in the coop at night so I could shut the door. Temps dropped as low as high 20's in the first 2 weeks. After about 3-4 days everyone went in on their own except the 2 ducks who had trouble going up the ramp. The first group that went out were about 3 1/2-4 weeks old, 8 of them. The 2nd group that went out about a week later were only 2-3 weeks old, 6 of them with a 7th added 2-3 days later that was close to 3 weeks. I have another group headed out in the next couple days that range from 2-5 weeks. I haven't had any heat in the coop because it has no electric. The only precaution I took was closing the coop door at night until temps were staying above about 50F. All have been fine & very happy.

As for rain, my younger chicks tend to shelter under or in the coop if it does more than sprinkle, but some older birds I got that were completely free-range before I brought them home just stand there like it's a sunny day unless we get an absolute downpour.

 

[ArmyWife]

ok good! That's great to know! I have them back outside now. I guess you could say they are free range. Its a large area of the yard sectioned off for them but has chicken fence around it and bird netting over it. It is sunny now but the ground is wet from morning thunderstorms