When to take heat lamp away from chicks

[Country Squire]

Hi, I have some 5 week old chicks in my large brooder set in the garage. Today for the first time I switched the dimmer down.

When is the best time to take away the heat lamp all together? It's not exactly warm at the minute, and I was planning on moving them outside at 6/7 weeks old once off the heat. The chicks have all feathered up well.

Thank you.

 

[Philcott]

I normally take mine off heat by six weeks, while they are still inside. They then go outside after having been without heat for about five days. I do keep an eye on things though, and if (at this time of the year) the night looks to be a cold one, I pop an electric hen in for them. But if they are all fully feathered they should be fine!

 

[chrismahon]

If they huddle together shivering CS, you know they need heat. Ours went off heat at 6 weeks but a cold night and they came in. THe rearing units we have are well protected from draughts and rain- that's what you need to be sure of when they go out.