Advice needed. Okay to get chicks in the Fall??

[teach1rusl]

Sorry...posted this in "Flock Management" originally...maybe it should go here?

If I get my chicks (4 or 5 of a standard breed) in mid September, will they be okay by the time they're old enough to transition to the coop?? I'm in southern Indiana. We do get pretty cold winters (freezing and below) and occasional snow. Our coldest months are December and January. Their actual housing is tight and insulated, so that part doesn't worry me TOO much. I would try to transition them out to the coop late Oct.??? They would only be about 12 weeks by early December though. Would they be okay through the winter??? I appreciate your opinions and advice. If you think it wouldn't be safe for the chicks, then I will just wait till late February.

 

[rhodiegal]

As long as they are feathered out, they should be OK outside. As for shipped babies - I recieved chicks in December, however, being in Georgia, it is warmer than Indiana. In December it still gets down to freezing here and they shipped me 5 hens and one rooster (barred rocks) and they were all fine in the cold weather shipping. They also did great when they were put out in late January after they were fully feathered.

 

[Crickett]

If you are really worried, You can always put a heat lamp out there as well. Just make sure that they can get away from the heat if they want to. That way they can find their own "comfort zone".