Best way to transition?

[sammi_lynn12]

In about three weeks our youngest chicks are able to go out in the coop and their pen. They will be just under eight weeks old. They currently are not using a heat lamp anymore as of two days ago. I have been keeping them inside our insulated garage, which doesn’t get below 70 degrees yet.

My question is how do I transition them from our insulated garage to their coop which is not insulated. It’s getting down to the 40s at night here now. I don’t wanna shock them but I’m unsure of the best way to get them use to the cooler weather in the meantime. Any suggestions??

 

[rosemarythyme]

Take them outside during days when it's warmer, and increase the time spent outside. You probably only need to do this for about a week before you can just leave them out, assuming the coop is finished. I have 4 week olds off heat and fully cooped in the 40s.

 

[3KillerBs]

Is there a particular reason you need to wait so long to get them into the coop?

I also have had fully-feathered 4-week-olds out in their coop in 40F weather.

 

[3KillerBs]

Someone told me to wait until they were at least eight weeks old to put them out so I’ve just been waiting!

I don't know why someone would have advised that.

Here are a couple helpful articles:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I started putting mine outside for the days at 3 weeks old, but it was summer. They were living in the coop full time by 5 weeks old. It might be different if you're in the cooler times now. They[ll love it

 

[sammi_lynn12]

I don't know why someone would have advised that.

Here are a couple helpful articles:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

Thank you!

 

[sammi_lynn12]

Is there a particular reason you need to wait so long to get them into the coop?

I also have had fully-feathered 4-week-olds out in their coop in 40F weather.

Someone told me to wait until they were at least eight weeks old to put them out so I’ve just been waiting!

 

[ugachickenmama]

I don't know why someone would have advised that.

Here are a couple helpful articles:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

Great articles on integrating chicks of different ages to your coop . . . I think the OP was asking (as I am also interested) in the temperature difference introduction.

It is 70 in her insulated garage (as it stays in mine in GA) and getting MUCH colder at night.

I do NOT plan to supplement heat in the coop . . . but should I be concerned about the stark contrast in temperatures.

Moving birds out during the day and back in at night is not as easy as it sounds since I do not have an extra pen to use outside.
I have been leaving the door open in the mornings to try to chill the garage and get them some temperature exposure.

So, when I do put my 9 week old girls in their coop/run outside, should I be concerned about the move from steady 70 degree temps to an environment with high 50/60s and low 20s???

 

[3KillerBs]

So, when I do put my 9 week old girls in their coop/run outside, should I be concerned about the move from steady 70 degree temps to an environment with high 50/60s and low 20s???

I can't advise you on this because I brood outdoors so my chicks are already acclimated and move them to the main coop for integration at 4-6 weeks depending on how their feathering is going and what the ambient temperatures are.

Some kind of integration pen is necessary for the see-don't-touch period.

 

[3KillerBs]

what does this mean?

When you're introducing new chickens into a flock it's necessary to introduce them slowly and give them time to get used to each other before allowing them to freely mingle.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/introducing-new-chickens-using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/

It helps avoid fighting and injuries.