When can chicks live outside w/out heat lamp?

[johnnalei]

I have three 3 week old chicks. A couple days ago I moved them outside to a dog crate (the plastic kind w/the wire front door) w/a heat lamp. Last night I put the lamp on a dusk to dawn timer, so no heat during the day. This morning they seemed just fine. So when can I turn the light off altogether? I'm in WA, temps have been 70s-low 80s during the day and low to mid 50s at night. Thanks!

 

[Judy]

I would think 2 or 3 more weeks at most. You might try checking on them before dawn when it's cool if you can and see how they are acting. They may not need it tht long.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

I'm just south of Portland, so temps are pretty much the same here...I do the same thing as you with the big dog crates on the porch as a step between brooder in the house, and the coop...I also moved them out at 3 weeks with the lamp, and only used the lamp for a week or two...and if there was a warm night, left it off...they've all done fantastic, even the bantams.

 

[Katy]

This time of year mine are going out the door at less than one week. It's in the high 90's-100s here tho. I have a very low watt light in the brooder cage that comes on at night for the next week or so and after that they are without.

 

[TeriNick50]

Thank you Katy (Flock Mistress) for your 8188th post! I'm thinking you know a lot about raising chickens and will follow your posts in the future.

In regard to my one week old chicks:
The weather has been so beautiful, I decided to put the girls outside on day #3 for fresh air, sun and exercise. I was a bit apprehensive but gave it a try. They were delighted. I turned over a wire mesh handcart for a makeshift playpen where they stayed all day. At night, back in the brooder.

Today it's raining and they're squawking to go outside. Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow.

 

[johnnalei]

Thanks for the advice. Now I don't feel guilty for kicking them out of the house

 

[cmom]

I'm an old softie. I have night lights in both of my coops for all of my birds.

 

[gritsar]

By five to 6 weeks old you should be able to do away with the heat light, even at night; so long as they are in a draft free coop.
Heating them past the point where they need it is really not doing them any favors. They will acclimate naturally to changes in temp. as they grow, if they are allowed to do so. Get them used to unnaturally warm temps. and have a power failure and you'll end up with sick birds.
The same goes for using a night light for the birds "wellbeing". What happens when the bulb burns out or there's a power failure? Your birds will freak out and could injure themselves in the process.
I took the heat lamps away from my chicks at five and half weeks. They were already living outside at the time. They have not had artificial light or heat since. They wake up with the sun and go to bed at dusk. Changes in temp. don't bother them one bit.
It really is possible to kill them with kindness.

 

[annie3001]

hello reply to number 7
just saw your photos of hilltop farms.. such great photography! enjoyed your gardening photos!!! terrific job!!
i am just starting out with chickens, five right now, and am doing some veggie gardeing too!! cant be you tho!! lol.
thanks for sharing!!

andrea,ct.

 

[rstampa]

In reference to the original question. I have an added question.
I live in Tampa, Fl. Average summer daytime temp is 90-95 degrees and at night is't around 80-85 degrees. What is your opinion on the heat lamp for me. (my Chicks)?
I'm waiting on my shipment of chicks and want everything just right.
Thanks for any suggestions you have.
Oh, and I will have the brood set on my screened in front porch. Safe from harm.