Baby chicks and warmth

[Geauxchag]

I’m building a new coop with the help of my generous brother who’s a carpenter. My chicks should arrive on the 17th. The temperature here gets down to 60 at this time of year. Would they be ok to just put them outside in the coop or should I start out with a warmer inside the house?

 

[sourland]

Can you provide a heat source in the coop?

 

[jreardon1918]

I think it is a fine time to raise chicks outside. They will need a little bit of supplemental heat. Heat lamp, heat plate or my favorite Momma Heating Pad. Here is an article we did to show our outdoor brooder. Brooder in covered run - Updated 7/11 Six weeks

This worked well for us last year.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's too cold for newly hatched chicks. Can you get electricity to the that coop so you can provide a heat source out there? If not you'll need to brood them somewhere you can provide a heat source.

What you need is an area where one spot is warm enough in the coolest weather and a spot is cool enough in the warmest weather. To me that's the hardest part of brooding outside, the huge temperature swings you can get. The way I manage that is a fairly big brooder with good ventilation. The chicks will decide where they want to be temperaturewise.

 

[Geauxchag]

Given the response from everyone I’ve decided to keep my chicks inside just like the previous flock. I have a heated plate and enclosure. Thanks for the responses!