Bad time to start?

[childrenschicks]

Agree RJ has many good points. I did just that (planned, researched, and built first... Got finishing touches that aren't necessary left) and that is why I am now getting my chicks tomorrow (SO EXCITED!!!), but I have one question that I can't seem to find an answer for and hoping to find another Michigander or close in weather: chicks are suppose to be under heat lamp at 95 degrees for first week and so on and in a brooder with high walls for no drafts etc... But if my chicks are in our garage in a cage it wouldn't be good to keep them under that lamp if temperature outside is also 95 degrees right? This is something I'll have to watch closely and adjust? Thanks for any input!!!

 

[Percheron chick]

Is the garage 95* as well? If it is than turn the heat lamp off during the day and when the temps drop in the evening, turn it on.

 

[RJSorensen]

Yep, I got new chicks today, outside is high 90's, inside the shop where I brood is close to that temp as well. However by morning it will be 60 at best, so you need to kick the heat on when it drops below 95. I start my chicks off at 100 F with Bantys like I received this morning. Warm weather brooding has its challenges as well as those early March batches. Seems to me there is no perfect time to raise young ones. I worry regardless, about my young birds.

So check your temp, give yourself a big enough brooder that you can let them get away from the heat when they like but huddle back under it as the night cools down. Remember, until they feather out, you are the mother hen, your job is to keep them warm when they wish, and let them out when they feel they are warm enough. Unless you stay up all night to adjust the temp, you will need to compensate for the late night/early morning drop in temp.

Best of luck to you and your new flock, it is exciting isn't it.

RJ

 

[Runkrod]

All,
thanks for all of the good advice and info. It would certainly make more sense to wait and deal with the move-in and setup issues for the next months and start chicks in the spring. However, rarely do I do things that totally make sense.

Although the notion of getting some grown birds (once I've built the coop) to satisfy my fresh egg needs while waiting for chicks in the spring is a compelling one.
To 3riverschick, I'm looking at family friendly egg layers, which according to this site and mypetchicken would be Australrop, Easter Eggers, Plymouth Rock, Wynadotte and Rhode Island. But am open to all suggestions at this point.

Thanks

 

[LeGhOrN101]

I like starting them in March or April so that when they are out of the house by May. I like to have them foraging as early as possible. If you start them in October they won't forage for five months. Just my opinion