Baby Chicks Arrived!

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The babies are a month old and spent their first day outside today! About 5 hours. Everything seemed to go very well. All the older ones were curious and courteous. No crying, squawking, or aggression. It gets cold fast when the sun goes down, so I brought them back inside before sunset.

I ran a mile of extension cord so they could have their heat plate. They did use it quite a bit. Temps were 50 to 60 most of the day. Forecast is for more of the same the next week! I moved the cage for tomorrow to where they will get more sun. I had planned to put the cage inside the run - but it is covered and gets little to no sun.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THEY ARE FULLY FEATHERED AND I CAN REMOVE THEIR HEAT PLATE?
1st.Day.Outside.27Dec.jpg
 
They will use it less and less, and obviously have feathers.
Mary
That is my see but don't touch cage for them. I have a place for it in the corner of the coop/run but I would have to add yet another extension cord for them to have their heat plate out there. When (and how) should I wean them off the heat plate? It was in the 60's again today and they still spent most of their time huddled under the heat plate.

Interestingly - today the older ones could have cared less that the babies were out there. The only time I could even get them to go over there was when I gave everyone Mealworms. They ate their worms and went back to the other side of the yard. NONE of them came up to the cage at all today otherwise.

Gracey is now 10oz. Buffy & Little Bit are just under 9oz.
 
That is my see but don't touch cage for them. I have a place for it in the corner of the coop/run but I would have to add yet another extension cord for them to have their heat plate out there. When (and how) should I wean them off the heat plate? It was in the 60's again today and they still spent most of their time huddled under the heat plate.

Interestingly - today the older ones could have cared less that the babies were out there. The only time I could even get them to go over there was when I gave everyone Mealworms. They ate their worms and went back to the other side of the yard. NONE of them came up to the cage at all today otherwise.

Gracey is now 10oz. Buffy & Little Bit are just under 9oz.
I just moved my girls to the big girl coop. Its in the low 40's right now. I have 15 of them so they can really create some heat. My girls are almost 7 weeks old and are feathered well. I took their plate away around week 5 and then started leaving the garage window open to bring in that cool air. It was high 40's in the garage so I think they'll do fine. I think they are more scared than cold. However, it is dipping into the low 30's the next couple nights so I am actually making a huddle box. I took a large diaper box and bought some fleece from Joann's that were remnants. It was 50% off because they are remnants and then another 50% because they had a sale. I spent $7.50 for 3 yards of fleece! So I will be putting this together and in their coop so they have a cozy place to huddle on those cold nights. I'll post a picture when I'm done!
 
I just moved my girls to the big girl coop. Its in the low 40's right now. I have 15 of them so they can really create some heat. My girls are almost 7 weeks old and are feathered well. I took their plate away around week 5 and then started leaving the garage window open to bring in that cool air. It was high 40's in the garage so I think they'll do fine. I think they are more scared than cold. However, it is dipping into the low 30's the next couple nights so I am actually making a huddle box. I took a large diaper box and bought some fleece from Joann's that were remnants. It was 50% off because they are remnants and then another 50% because they had a sale. I spent $7.50 for 3 yards of fleece! So I will be putting this together and in their coop so they have a cozy place to huddle on those cold nights. I'll post a picture when I'm done!

I love fabric scraps almost as much as i love a good pallet. Lol
I made my yard cats an box filled with hay to sleep in last night amd they appreciated it.
(Excuse her eyes i flashed her lol)
 

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I just moved my girls to the big girl coop. Its in the low 40's right now. I have 15 of them so they can really create some heat. My girls are almost 7 weeks old and are feathered well. I took their plate away around week 5 and then started leaving the garage window open to bring in that cool air. It was high 40's in the garage so I think they'll do fine. I think they are more scared than cold. However, it is dipping into the low 30's the next couple nights so I am actually making a huddle box. I took a large diaper box and bought some fleece from Joann's that were remnants. It was 50% off because they are remnants and then another 50% because they had a sale. I spent $7.50 for 3 yards of fleece! So I will be putting this together and in their coop so they have a cozy place to huddle on those cold nights. I'll post a picture when I'm done!
I have been taking the babies outside during the day, but once the sun goes down - I am afraid it would be too cold for them? It has been in the 20's every night. Next week down in the teens! During the day - I have been taking them out once it is above 40 (it has been hitting 60 this week!). I am assuming that anything below 32 is too cold for my 3 babies?? I have been bringing them back inside the house once I lock the big ones in their coop.
 
I have been taking the babies outside during the day, but once the sun goes down - I am afraid it would be too cold for them? It has been in the 20's every night. Next week down in the teens! During the day - I have been taking them out once it is above 40 (it has been hitting 60 this week!). I am assuming that anything below 32 is too cold for my 3 babies?? I have been bringing them back inside the house once I lock the big ones in their coop.
I think you're doing a great job acclimating the chicks to the weather. I would continue to do so until you think they can handle the cold. They have each other to cuddle with and will stay warm that way. However, you have 3, I have 15. Larger cuddle parties equates more heat! LOL. Here is a picture of them tonight. They aren't even using the huddle box. It should be in the 30's tonight. We'll see how they are in the morning.
 

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Last night - I took their heat plate away! Now, remember - they are in a play pen, inside the house - in the family room for the night! I have the thermostat set at 68 at night. I think they are big enough?? I am still giving them the heat plate outside, but I really don't think they need it??? It is 40 to 50 degrees when I take them out and it has been in the 60's by the heat of the day. IF I could remove the heat plate, outside - I could go ahead and move their cage into the big birds run.
 
Last night - I took their heat plate away! Now, remember - they are in a play pen, inside the house - in the family room for the night! I have the thermostat set at 68 at night. I think they are big enough?? I am still giving them the heat plate outside, but I really don't think they need it??? It is 40 to 50 degrees when I take them out and it has been in the 60's by the heat of the day. IF I could remove the heat plate, outside - I could go ahead and move their cage into the big birds run.
Sounds like your right?? Where are you located thatbits 60s right now? Im jealous here in TX, tomorrow is our coldest day of the year i think with a low of 18. Im thinking come sun set im boxing mine back up and bringing the babies inside... Cold plus new years with a firework stand at the end of my street... Yup. I got them a new big red Christmas tote for 16$ today so it will get us by till the cold breaks.
 
My girls were in 40 degree garage for a couple weeks with no heat before we kicked them out. Although I’m a little worried for tonight because it’s actually dipping down to 28 degrees. Should I throw their plate out there?
 

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