When to move?

[pasunset]

I have a 3 week old batch of LF chicks in the house in a large tote. When would they be ok to move out into the garage into a brooder? The garage is not heated but I'm going to put a red 250W brooder bulb in as well. I have another batch that is suppose to hatch on Sat. and need the tote for them. The weather here has been 50-60 or higher during the day and at night gets down to the low 30's. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Chickaroos]

I waited until mine were about 5 weeks to move them into the basement until they were fully feathered out. Our weather was the same as yours and they were fine. Keep the light pretty low down if it gets that cold, better to have a spot they can get to , to get super warm, then have it to high and them be too cold IMO! Just make sure (which im sure you do) that they have plenty of room to get out of the light, but at 3 weeks old, I dont see much of that happening.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Lots and lots of folks, including me, brood in an unheated garage or outbuilding. The "where" of the brooder is meaningless. The warm spot of the heat lamp provides them a place to be warm and the cool areas provide them places to run, jump and stretch.

 

[pasunset]

The brooder is a 4ft x 4ft plywood box that is 4ft high as well and the back half is covered over the top as well. I put a 1" x 3" piece of wood across the front so I could hang the light down in.

 

[CorinneP]

Depending on your climate .. Chicks at 3 weeks should have a spot where it is 85 degrees. I would adjust your heat lamp to make sure it is close to that .. But at three weeks in a garage wait a lamp .. I think they will be o.k. they will cuddle under the lamp when cold or together too for extra heat .. ad if its to warm they will walk away some .. Probably be very happy for the extra room .. Unless you live in a very fridged inviroment .. I have had several in my garage with a lamp for night in warm weather that young .