Hi from Sue in Gloucester, Mass

[cherrypitz farm]

Im so new to all of this from computers to chickens!. Im mom to 2 dogs. a black lab and a cocker spaniel and a cat. I guess I started out backwards and got 4 buff orphingtons before I built the coop..so now Im panicing. Ive had them for 2 weeks now..and 2 of the little chicklets have little wing feathers and petootie feathers..and 2, have just a couple wing feathers and no petootie feathers. I dont even know the lingo..so bear with my vocabulary. Ive managed to buy a dog house..because everything begins with a dog house right? I measured it tonight and its about 30x30..and I forgot to measure the height. I figured Id buy a nesting box and mount that on the side...Need to find a window...and some wood for door.....and well its a flat roof house...am I going to have problems? Did I mention that I live with chronic pain from lumbar radiculopathy and CRPS....Can you tell me when I can start taking the chicklets outside? The temps out here have only been in the 50s. Right now the chicklets are in the bottom half of a dog crate that the lab can fit into. Still under the infrared light...

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hello and

Your chicks can go outside when they are 5 weeks old or thereabouts, considering your temps.
I'm not so familiar with US measurements, but it's recommended that each full grown chicken needs at least 4 sq ft to live in in the coop. You could also attach a run to the house to give them some space to roam outside.

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your chickens. See you round.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Well, on a chicks first week the temp should be 90 degrees F, every week you lower the heat by 5 degrees F until you reach 65 degrees F and they can go outside.

Welcome to BYC!! We're glad to have you!!

 

[Kevin565]

 

[1muttsfan]

HI and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

In cooler climates your chicks should have supplemental heat until they are fully feathered at 6 weeks of age.

Your 6.25 square foot dog house should be fine for now, but for 4 adult hens you will need 16 square feet.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[kidcody]

from washington state glad you joined us!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad you joined.