when to put chicks in the coop

[eggzntoast]

I don't think my chicks are feathering like they are supposed to. What could i be doing wrong.

 

[eggzntoast]

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[eggzntoast]

The rir are 4weeks old. They are the ones with the patterns

 

[AllynTal]

I don't think my chicks are feathering like they are supposed to. What could i be doing wrong.

If you're using a heat/brooder lamp, it might be that the chicks are too warm all the time. If they can never get cool, they'll feather out slower. I think people make the mistake of thinking they have to keep the chicks' whole environment warm instead of simply giving them a place to get warm.

 

[eggzntoast]

They have all this space. Should i take the lamp out. Because i have my heat set to 70. And they are in my dining room in place of the table lol. Not sure if you can tell the size but it's at least 8 foot by 4

 

[AllynTal]

They have all this space. Should i take the lamp out. Because i have my heat set to 70. And they are in my dining room in place of the table lol. Not sure if you can tell the size but it's at least 8 foot by 4

That is much bigger than it looked in the first few pictures you posted. It looks like they have plenty of room to get away from the lamp, but still they're in an environment with the temperature constantly controlled. You don't have a basement or garage where you can brooder them? Or maybe an extra bedroom where you can close the heat registers?

 

[eggzntoast]

That is much bigger than it looked in the first few pictures you posted. It looks like they have plenty of room to get away from the lamp, but still they're in an environment with the temperature constantly controlled. You don't have a basement or garage where you can brooder them? Or maybe an extra bedroom where you can close the heat registers?

Yes i have a garage. Isn't that too cold for them though. It's been below 20 a few days this week during the night. Or are you saying to let them roam for a few hours during the day?

 

[eggzntoast]

I live in Toledo, ohio

 

[AllynTal]

Yes i have a garage. Isn't that too cold for them though. It's been below 20 a few days this week during the night. Or are you saying to let them roam for a few hours during the day?

Generally speaking, as long as the chicks have a place to get warm when they're cold, they'll be okay. It's 20 degrees outside for an overnight low, but how cold is it inside the garage? I would at least set up a play area in the garage for them and let them out there during the day. Make sure they have plenty of bedding underfoot and put a heat source out there for them. If you want to bring them in at night until the really frigid weather passes or they feather out, that'd work. They'll tell you if they're cold and can't get warm enough.

 

[barred2rock]

Yes i have a garage. Isn't that too cold for them though. It's been below 20 a few days this week during the night. Or are you saying to let them roam for a few hours during the day?

If you continue to provide heat it won't be below 20 under the heat. BTW, as far as I can tell your birds look pretty well feathered. They're close to coop move in time. I'd give them a week or two in the garage and see how they are then.