When is it to cold and are they smart enough to go in to get warm?

[festivefeet]

If it's 60-65 degrees, can I leave the hen house door open for my 5 week old chicks to come and go on there own outside? Are they smart and old enough to know when to go back in on their own if they are to cold? They seem to stay out most of the time. I just don't want them to get cold and get sick.

Thanks.
Jessica

 

[aidenbaby]

I have chicks ranging from 1 week to 3-4 weeks and they all are smart enough to head to the lamp in thier coop when and if they get cold. The weather here has ranged from 50's to 80's in the last 2 weeks and they seem to know to stay more indoors when it is chillier. If they haven't been through the chicken door before, you may want to "show" them how to use it. I just checked my chicks every 30 minutes or so the first few day. If they showed signs that they were cold but didn't head in, I'd put them through the door and under the lamp. I only had to do this twice with the older chicks and 3 times with the younger chicks.

 

[gaduke]

I put my 5 week olds out a couple of weeks ago and the temps have ranged from 80-50 with rain and they are doing fine!

 

[chickens3]

well just like all chickens they will go where it is warm, and where they like it.