winter in spring! Should they stay in their coop?

[jstlitlome]

Yesterday was a beautiful 80 degree day. My chickies spent the whole day scratching happily in their yard.

Today it will be 40 degrees. Tomorrow it will be 35 degrees (with possible snow!!!!!) before resuming spring again next week. Go figure. This has been a weird spring here in MIssouri.

I just put my first 10 chickens out their coop late last week. They started in their new run two days ago and seem to love it! They are 9 weeks old. The coop has a heat lamp on.


So do I leave them in the coop all day? do I open the windows? My DH thought that the windows would be vent enough, which should be the case, but I worry that the coop will get too cold.

I think I am overthinking things!

Leslie

 

[Ridgerunner]

At 9 weeks I’d leave the pop door open and let them decide if they want to go outside or not. If you give them that option, you might be surprised at what they choose to do.

And I never provide heat after five weeks, even with the overnight lows at freezing. At 9 weeks they don’t come close to needing that heat lamp.

 

[jstlitlome]

Okay, so I opened their coop door and gave them a fabulous treat in their coop. They all are currently outside in the 37 degree temperature, forgoing their treats. Go figure! Wow! They are all grown up!

Leslie

 

[Ridgerunner]

I know yours are not totally grown, but I leave my pop door open no matter what the weather. I took this photo when it was 4 degrees above zero Fahrenheit.