When are chicks considered "Feathered"? Looking to remove lamp ASAP.

[horsesandboots]

I have had my D'uccles outside since they were about 4 weeks old. They were fully feathered. No heat lamp. Depends on where you live and temperatures.

 

[Patblair1]

With my now 8 week old pullets last week I shut them into the coop for 3 days with no access outside with a heat lamp at night very low but a safe height in the coop in case they slept on the floor since it was down in the mid 30's at night and 55 during the day. Then after 3 days opened up the pop door in the morning to let them in their secure little run (we had to do a temp run since we are headed off to vacation and needed something quick while we are gone). It took them a long time to venture a foot past the pop door and every little thing sends them scurrying back in but that was the whole idea of the 3 day lock up was to get them used to the coop. This resulted in the 5 of them going inside at dusk like good chickens from the first night which was great compared to the stories I have heard of people having to herd their chickens in at night to teach them the routine.

I am so glad I saw this! It'll be very helpful next week when it warms up here

 

[Peggy O]

Update.

They're outside since this morning. Expecting a low of 54* tonight. They are sleeping in a little pile in one corner. I gave them 3 inches of shavings to snuggle in, and sealed the doors. there are a few cracks under the nest boxes, but I put the food and water partially over the cracks to minimize cold air seeping in. I hope this is OK.

 

[B-Goock]

Sounds like your on track with mine a few weeks ago. If you've acclimated them down to 70 degrees and they are mostly feathered then they should be fine. I put a thermometer in mine so I could monitor how cold it got in the coop. When it dropped down into the 50's I put the heat lamp in with just a normal 25 watt bulb for just a little heat mostly for my piece of mind than what they really needed. And I walked out and checked them before I went to bed. I also like you closed up to minimize drafts. Throw some pics up.

 

[gander007]

Update.

They're outside since this morning. Expecting a low of 54* tonight. They are sleeping in a little pile in one corner. I gave them 3 inches of shavings to snuggle in, and sealed the doors. there are a few cracks under the nest boxes, but I put the food and water partially over the cracks to minimize cold air seeping in. I hope this is OK.

Sounds like you are off to a new beginning or is a new steep towards having a flock

 

[subhanalah]

I have my 4 and 5 week old babies outside in the coop with a little lean-to over them to help trap heat. Turned off the heat lamp because it's so warm here tonight. They've been outside almost a week.

 

[Peggy O]

Throw some pics up.

Here ya go! We buried 18 in of wire in a trench under it, stapled to a 2 x 4 frame, and we're adding a large run this weekend. 4 will stay here, 2 go to a friend when they grow up. So hard to decide!!!

 

[gander007]

Quote:

Oh now hat looks really nice and sturdy and should last you a lot of years .....

Is it a kit or did you make it yourselves ?????

 

[Peggy O]

It's a kit. It was super cheap. Not bad for the price. Needs tweaking though. We are taking 1/2 of the back house wall off this weekend, and adding another room the size of what it has now. Went to home depot this morning. We decided to keep all 6 chickens. Lol. With the run we plan to add, it should be OK for them all. I am so excited to be able to go in and play with them soon!

 

[B-Goock]

LOL Peggy O is adding on already. Anyone want to bet on how soon before they add to the flock? Just teasing.

Cheap is good and you can work with it. Mine started as one of those post frame kids playhouse. I got it for free. Like this but not even as fancy. http://www.lowes.com/pd_385398-2577..._sales_dollar|1&page=1&facetInfo=$800 - $1000

And to help put your mind at ease those peepers look fully feathered. They should be fine. Have fun!