What temp can you keep 4 week old chicks at?

[mliga]

Hi all


We have almost fully feathered 4 week old chicks. We had to start putting them out in the coop because of space. They are already down to the 70 degree mark.

My question is, what low temp can they stand (with heat lamps). In other words what is the lowest temps they can handle (coop temp, not outside).

Thanks
Michelle in WV

 

[raindrop]

I don't know the temperature in the coop, but my chicks went out at 4 weeks with a 250 watt heat lamp about 24 inches off the floor. During the day they roam the coop, at night they sleep under the lamp but are not touching each other, piled up, or in distress so I figure they are fine. It has gotten down to 37 degrees one night, so I also turn on a 100 watt lamp on cold nights. Under the lamp it feels quite warm to me, at least 80 or so.

 

[Cetawin]

Theoretically...they start at 95 degrees and lose 5 degrees per week meaning they should be in 80 degree temps now.

How are they inside? are they huddled all together in a corner or something or are they all spread out looking comfy? I would go with what they are telling you by their behavior.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Chicks do not fully feather out til 8 to 10 weeks...and 80 degree range would be what they would be needing under a heatlamp...I'm in WV too, it was durn cold here last night and today, with lows in the 30 tonight...brrrrr

 

[Stella1964]

I was wondering about this myself. My chicks are now 6 weeks old and live in a makeshift coop in the garage until the nights get a little warmer here (southern Ontario). At night the temps still drop down to about 0C (32F) and during the day creep up to maybe 15C (65F), so I have to keep checking on them to see how they're doing, neither too hot nor too cold. I'm thinking over the next two weeks they should be fine to manage in those temp ranges on their own.

If anyone knows differently, let me know.

tx

 

[Stella1964]

Forgot to mention, re my post above, that I've been dropping their coop temperatures just like the books say, by 5F every week. So right now, given that they're 6 weeks old, having started Day 1 at 95F, I estimate the appropriate temperature to be around 65F. My red, 175 watt heat lamp fluctuates their ambiant temps between 60-70, so I imagine that's ok. They have space to roam if it gets to cool/warm.

 

[mliga]

Hi all


Cetawin: I knew about the 95 degrees and the 5 degree drop per week but these ladies liked it cooler from the get go. We started at 88-90 degrees and they seemed pretty good last night when the temp in the coop dropped to 62, but they are happiest in the upper 60's to around 70. (could this be because they are dominiques, ie black feathers:more heat retention?)

Tuffoldhen: I am in Preston Co. where are you?

Raindrop We have a 250W bulb about 30 inches off of the floor we also had a 125W bulb that is 25 inches off of the floor.

I guess we might be overly worried about them, but we will probably bring them inside for tonight and tomorrow and tomorrow night.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Michelle in WV

 

[debakadeb]

My chicks are about 3 1/2 weeks old -- they seem to like it about 70-75 degrees. At 70 degrees, they sleep close but not huddled.

 

[Cetawin]

They are individuals for sure. My girls on day one ran from 95 degrees and were comfy and happy at 90...so, look to them for your answers on temps. They will tell you if they are too hot by running away from the heat source or too cold by being under the heat source and all huddled up together in a pile.

Good luck...you will do fine I think in making the right choice.