How to know when they are fully feathered?

[Gembeag]

Our 4 RSLs are 6 weeks old now. How would you describe them being fully feathered? They do still have a bit of 'fluff.' This is 2 of them a week ago.x

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I consider that feathered. Sure there's a bit of fluff on the throat area and head but they can easily take high 30F nights with that much covering.

If you do still have low nightly lows make sure to acclimate them before putting out in the coop. Keeping light off all day for a few days then no light at all for few days then out to coop and run they go.

 

[Gembeag]

I consider that feathered. Sure there's a bit of fluff on the throat area and head but they can easily take high 30F nights with that much covering.

If you do still have low nightly lows make sure to acclimate them before putting out in the coop. Keeping light off all day for a few days then no light at all for few days then out to coop and run they go.

Thank you. Our nightly lows at the moment are about 50 I think, I work in Celsius (10 C) and getting up to a max of 68 (20 C) They have been in doors without a lamp for a couple of weeks now. They have had a couple of 'day trips' out to the coop and run, they are out there today in fact. Would you go for it? They are getting a bit big for the brooder now!

 

[azygous]

It's rather simple to test chicks' need for continuing heat. Watch how they sleep. Are they as far away from the heat lamp as they can get? Then they no longer need it.

If you've already removed their heat source, then great! They're ready to move outside. Watch them as they get ready to sleep. Are they scrambling to get into a very tight pile? Then they probably need a little heat at night still.

Heat needs depend on several factors. Age, degree of feathering, climate and night time temperatures, and whether they've already been weaned off heat or not.

If you tell us how cold it is there at night, we could tell you if we think your birds still might require heat and how much.

 

[Gembeag]

One of our's on a trial run!x

 

[Gembeag]

It's rather simple to test chicks' need for continuing heat. Watch how they sleep. Are they as far away from the heat lamp as they can get? Then they no longer need it.

If you've already removed their heat source, then great! They're ready to move outside. Watch them as they get ready to sleep. Are they scrambling to get into a very tight pile? Then they probably need a little heat at night still.

Heat needs depend on several factors. Age, degree of feathering, climate and night time temperatures, and whether they've already been weaned off heat or not.

If you tell us how cold it is there at night, we could tell you if we think your birds still might require heat and how much.

It'll get down to about 10C (50F I think?) tonight. They've not had heat for a couple of weeks now.x

 

[MysteriaSdrassa]

I'd say they will be fine,, at 6 weeks mine were handling 45F and even a few nights close to freezing (35F) at night just fine.

 

[azygous]

I completely agree! Absolutely they will be just fine going out to their coop with no heat needed! They will be totally comfortable!

 

[Gembeag]

Thank you everyone for your very helpful comments. I love this site! We've done it, the girls are in! They seem to be loving it and should sleep well as they've not stopped all afternoon! It is 7:45 in the evening here so we will be putting them to bed in a couple of hours. Think I'll get the meal worms out to tempt them into the coup. I'll keep you posted!x