55 degrees too cold for chicks?

[chickenhick]

My babies are six weeks old and I really want them out with the big girls. It will be 55 tonight and they have all their feathers (except a few stragglers of down around their necks). Will they be alright with no heat lamp?

 

[debilorrah]

They are not fully feathered at that age and 55 is WAY too cold for them without a heat lamp.

Click on My BYC page for information about how to integrate them into your flock......

 

[greathorse]

They sure should be. I have had mine out for a bit and it gets in the forties here and they are about the same age. I thought about it too and went out just before turning in and they were sleeping sort of scattered not in a pile so it gave me confidence that they were warm enough. If they pile up they are a little chilly. The cool will not hurt them the biggest risk is that a small one could smother if they get in a wad.

 

[greathorse]

but then what do I know LOL

 

[chickenhick]

Quote:
Do you have a heat lamp for them?

 

[EweSheep]

Mine was five weeks old when I put them outside a month ago but they were in the coop so they were not exposed to the elements like the outside cage for summer would be.

They will be fine as long they can get warm by huddling up. And have protective shelter in case wind, cold, and rain creeps in on them.

 

[Redhead Hen]

My month old chicks have been in the coop with the big girls for a week now. I am a bit north of you - Northern Maryland. They have been just fine. We don't have electric out there. I checked in on them one evening around 10pm and they were just fine.

 

[Judy]

Watch them and see how they react. Huddling next to each other is normal. Piling on top of one another is dangerous, as they can suffocate the one on the bottom. Be sure there is no draft blowing directly on them.

My bet is they will do fine.

 

[gritsar]

They should be just fine. However, have they been introduced to the hens? You can't just put them in the coop with the big hens without some way for the little ones to be protected from possible attacks from the older birds.

 

[greathorse]

No no light but a tight well ventilated coop. And it is correct if they huddle up it is very normal. If they get in a pile they are cold. Mine have actually scattered a bit not even huddled, so I know it is not too cold. Watch and learn you can learn so much by observing behavior. Actual coop temp is not the whole story. they will tell you most of what you need to know if you just watch and listen