What temperature do I want the coop for 8 week olds?

[ZaneyMama]

I am moving them out today or tomorrow and I'm worried that they'll get too cold. The coop is insulated and doesn't have any cold drafts near where they'll be. Should I turn the heat lamp on in there just to be safe?

 

[AlyUte]

It never hurts to play it safe. Just check in on them. If they are huddled near the heat lamp then keep it in the coop until the weather gets warmer. Otherwise, take it out after a couple of days. However, if your weather has been anything like the weather here in Utah, I'd think you'd need the heat lamp at night for the next few weeks at the very least.

 

[Happy Chooks]

It depends. 8 week olds should be able to tolerate cold weather fine. Mine have been out in the coop since they were 5 weeks and only had a heat lamp for a week. (we're fairly cold at night, close to freezing some nights) However, if you have been keeping the brooder at say 80-85 degrees and suddenly put them out in 40 degree nights, that's quite a shock to their bodies. I decrease the temp in the brooder each week, and by the time they go out, they have adjusted to colder temps, so they don't need the heat lamp much.

If you're concerned, then give them the heat lamp and let them adjust before you take it completely away.

ETA: they won't need the lamp during the day at all.