Hi---
I hatched 5 chicks 4 weeks ago today. They are healthy, look good (I can't believe how fast they grow). Can I move them outdoors to their coop yet? High temps are in the low 60s, lows in the low 40's. We had frost this morning. If I move them out there, do I still need to provide them with a heat lamp? I only have one heat lamp, and another batch of chicks are hatching today.....so I'm reluctant to buy another heat lamp. Today's babies need the heat lamp, obviously.
Thanks,
Stephanie
when to move chickens outside?
I think 40 is a bit cold for chicks that are not fully feathered yet. Perhaps they need to stay in if you can't give them a light outside - especially as there are only 5 of them.
It is to cold for one month old chicks to be out side temp wise, and then you have to consider any breeze that comes up. They need a heat lamp for approx another four weeks. However you don't need a heat lamp per se, just a seventy watt light bulb to take the chill off...Hay
I'd keep em in the house for another week or two with no heat lamp, just shelter from the cold.. so they can adjust to the weather slowly. They will learn to keep each other warm. If there is frost, that is colder than in the 40s.. and I wouldn't put them out in temps like that. In a couple weeks, the weather might warm up a tad too.. :)
Well, I can TRY to be positive! :)