When can chicks regulate body temperature. Need definative answer

[galanie]

I have, and they wouldn't use it. Even though I knew they were cold. Cut on a red heatlamp and soon they were under it snoozing away.

 

[SteveBaz]

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X2 Who can argue with common sense.

 

[amosygal]

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They do seem hardier, especially regarding the temps. I would change the formula to start at 90F and reduce 8F every week. But be careful, they might suddenly chill, I had once three 4 week old chicks that seemed ok outside in the winder but I lost them after a week.

 

[SteveBaz]

Quote:
They do seem hardier, especially regarding the temps. I would change the formula to start at 90F and reduce 8F every week. But be careful, they might suddenly chill, I had once three 4 week old chicks that seemed ok outside in the winder but I lost them after a week.

Lost them after a week to what? Not cold but to the high temps more than likely and not enough room to get out of the heat !!!!! Heat is more of a concern than the cold is. In most cases its them cooking and can not get out of the heat get dehydrated and pass on. The heat schedule is a bit high for me listed here but never the less it could be 100* and with enough room to get out of the heat it would not matter. I had used 85* degrees the first week and reduced it by 5* degrees each week until the 6th or 7th week and no more heat is required at all. That is what I read on this site 4 months before ever registering and it never changed until I read this specific post saying 90* and drop by 8* degrees each week by this poster.

 

[wbruder17]

In my opinion, they are a lot like horses....once they hit a certain age (fully feathered for chickens) they will adapt to the weather around them by growing thick hair, more down feathers etc. If you put a blanket on a horse, or let chickens under a lamp for too long, or even when they are grown, you are taking away their ability to naturally protect/ insulate themselves.

They are animals, aftter all, and just because WE are cold, does not by any means indicate that our animals will be cold as well. I do not see a fully feathered, 6 week old chick dying from the cold when it is not even freezing temps, ESPECIALLY if they are kept dry, protected from the elements, and have buddies to snuggle. Nature prepares them better than that.

 

[Beekissed]

Yes, hardening off a young bird is necessary if one lives in cold temps. I've never seen one of my broodies sitting still with all the babies gathered under her all day long....they are constantly on the move, running here and there and finally settle down in the evening and bask in the warmth that is mom.

But then, there is something to be said for avoiding the whole problem by just hatching about the time when broodies normally set and hatch....early spring/spring/summer. Anyone intentionally incubating eggs for hatch in 20 degree weather, going into even colder weather, is asking for a laundry list of self-inflicted problems.