Can they go outside?

[MamaGer8ty]

Our “Hen House” used to be our doggie house and we insulated it, added a heat lamp and also put in hay for when she wanted to be outside and it was snowing. We have converted it into our coop now. The heating lamp is very safe and out of the way so nothing can hopefully mess with it and it cause a fire. For four years of having it, not once did it spark or have any issues.

Our ten chicks are four weeks and have most of their feathers. If we put the heating lamp back in, is it safe to have them outside now?

They are growing so fast and we don’t have anything else to put them in and now our basement is poop covered. We are first-timers and learning many things as we go. Thank you for your advice and input!

 

[rosemarythyme]

What are you highs and lows right now? At 4 weeks, they should be off heat indoors already, or very very close to it.

What are you lowest temperatures in winter, period? I don't think you'd need heat at all once your birds are acclimated to outdoors, so why risk it, when the birds don't need it?

 

[MamaGer8ty]

What are you highs and lows right now? At 4 weeks, they should be off heat indoors already, or very very close to it.

What are you lowest temperatures in winter, period? I don't think you'd need heat at all once your birds are acclimated to outdoors, so why risk it, when the birds don't need it?

Our lows this week will be in the 50s and our highs will be anywhere from 60-80. During the winter it could be in the teens. They will have airflow and it is already insulated. So no heat lamp, they should be ok outside just as themselves?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Temps are pretty good right now for moving your chicks out now/soon, without heat. If it makes you feel safer to transition them more slowly, you can take them out during days, bring them in at night, and do that for a week before just letting them stay out permanently.

During winter, your temperatures are nowhere cold enough to require additional heat. Feathers and a coop to protect them from wind and drafts will do a very good job of keeping the birds warm. Sufficient ventilation towards the top of the coop is ideal to let moist air rise and escape, to minimize frostbite.

 

[aart]

also put in hay for when she wanted to be outside

So you have one hen living in the doghouse?

Our ten chicks are four weeks

....and you want to add these 10 chicks?

How big is this dog house?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

 

[MamaGer8ty]

So you have one hen living in the doghouse?

....and you want to add these 10 chicks?

How big is this dog house?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Sorry! She was our Great Dane and sadly she passed a few years ago. We would put the ten 4wk olds in there, yes. It’s pretty big I can get inside it no problem.

 

[aart]

She was our Great Dane

So pretty big dog house!
So you still have the one hen living in there?
Still not sure 10 birds will be happy living in that once full grown.

 

[Cebarmlds]

That's too small for 10 full grown chickens. You better start building a coop now.

 

[MamaGer8ty]

So pretty big dog house!
So you still have the one hen living in there?
Still not sure 10 birds will be happy living in that once full grown.

Lol ya big dog house. There isn’t a hen in it right now. Nothing is in it while we fix it up. It might end up having only 8 since it is looking like we might have three roosters.

 

[aart]

There isn’t a hen in it right now.

Is she gone or in another enclosure?
How big is this, in feet by feet?
Pics of inside, please?