When can my 4 week old chicks move to the coop officially?

[Rvachickies]

We have 7 pullets that are 4 weeks old. They are our only chickens, and they have been spending time out in the run during the day and we bring them in at night. They no longer sleep under the brooder plate even though it’s at the highest height, they all huddle on top. We have the producer pride brooder plate and it does seem to be warm on top, so it’s possible they are enjoying the heat from it. The nights have been in the 70s outdoors, however next week looks like it will be a bit cooler, in the high 60s. With it being summer here in VA, I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate to put them outside at night soon.

 

[NatJ]

We have 7 pullets that are 4 weeks old. They are our only chickens, and they have been spending time out in the run during the day and we bring them in at night. They no longer sleep under the brooder plate even though it’s at the highest height, they all huddle on top. We have the producer pride brooder plate and it does seem to be warm on top, so it’s possible they are enjoying the heat from it. The nights have been in the 70s outdoors, however next week looks like it will be a bit cooler, in the high 60s. With it being summer here in VA, I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate to put them outside at night soon.

I suggest you unplug the brooder plate but leave it in the brooder, then see how they sleep for a night or two after that.

If they sleep on top of the brooder plate and seem content, then they do not need the heat.

At that point, if the night lows outdoors are within about 10 degrees of your house temperature, they should be able to move out with no problems.

You might put the brooder plate out with them, even if you do not plug it in, so they can sleep on the familiar top of it the first few nights if they want to (they may want to or may not.)

 

[Rvachickies]

I suggest you unplug the brooder plate but leave it in the brooder, then see how they sleep for a night or two after that.

If they sleep on top of the brooder plate and seem content, then they do not need the heat.

At that point, if the night lows outdoors are within about 10 degrees of your house temperature, they should be able to move out with no problems.

You might put the brooder plate out with them, even if you do not plug it in, so they can sleep on the familiar top of it the first few nights if they want to (they may want to or may not.)

Thanks for the tips! That sounds like a great plan. On the first step, when I just unplug the plate, if they are cold they should be loud about it right??

 

[nuthatched]

Kick em out, they'll be fine

 

[Ridgerunner]

70 F at 4 weeks old, 60 F at 5 weeks old next week. They should be able to handle that without any trouble. That does not mean you have to move them out now, just that you should be able to without problems.

If you can safely plug in that brooder plate out there it will not hurt anything to do that. If you have to run an extension cord be careful, especially in rain or a heavy dew. I really do not think you need one but it might make you feel better.

Have they ever been in total darkness? If not, the first time they are they will likely be afraid and peep. You might put them through a few nights of total darkness before you move them so they get used to it so you do not confuse them being scared of the dark with them being cold.

Good luck!

 

[Rvachickies]

70 F at 4 weeks old, 60 F at 5 weeks old next week. They should be able to handle that without any trouble. That does not mean you have to move them out now, just that you should be able to without problems.

If you can safely plug in that brooder plate out there it will not hurt anything to do that. If you have to run an extension cord be careful, especially in rain or a heavy dew. I really do not think you need one but it might make you feel better.

Have they ever been in total darkness? If not, the first time they are they will likely be afraid and peep. You might put them through a few nights of total darkness before you move them so they get used to it so you do not confuse them being scared of the dark with them being cold.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for the tips! My husband is an electrician and he isn’t crazy about me running an extension cord out to the coop especially with rain and heavy dew like you mentioned. We have heavy dew almost every morning with how humid it has been. My girls are used to it being pretty dark… their coop also has a window, and we have a floodlight on all night in our backyard so it should be similar to what they experience now in our laundry room. I feel more comfortable moving them out, thanks maybe we will try Friday night as they will be closer to 5 weeks old

 

[NatJ]

Thanks for the tips! That sounds like a great plan. On the first step, when I just unplug the plate, if they are cold they should be loud about it right??

Yes, if they are cold enough to have problems, they should be loud enough that you will have no trouble hearing them if you and they are in the same house.

 

[Rvachickies]

Yes, if they are cold enough to have problems, they should be loud enough that you will have no trouble hearing them if you and they are in the same house.

Thanks so much! They do get pretty roudy when we bring them back inside at night for a bit… they just love being out. I’m sure I’ll be able to tell the difference.