Can 5-6 week old chicks handle transitioning to coop with lows in 40s without supplemental heat?

[Magnolia76]

Hello! I have a tiny bit of prior experience raising chickens for a couple of years, but it was in a warmer climate. I am stressing over how to safely care for them in the cold. I am in South Dakota now and it can randomly snow in June or drop down to negative 20 degrees for a week or two during winter. I live in the woods with mostly all shade. I do not want to use supplemental heat because I am scared of a fire in the coop (which could take down my entire forested neighborhood). I plan on trying to raise natural birds who can handle the climate. However, baby chicks cannot obviously. When it is time to transitioning the chicks from my house out into the coop, can I do so without putting heat out there for them? If they are 5ish weeks old and feathered (thats about how long I think I can manage having them inside the house all day in a container) can they handle the temps of low 40s at night which is approximately what it will be in May here in SD? If I absolutely had to I think the heat plate is the best way to go for in the coop BUT there still is some risk, Ive seen pics of them melted from faulty units. I really dont want to take any risk on electrical in the coop.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
They should be fine but I would put a huddle box in a draft free corner of the coop.
Alternatively, you can brood them directly in the coop with a brooder plate for their heat source. Just make the front legs of it higher than the back legs and drape an old towel over it to further trap heat and make it cave like.

 

[Isadora]

Hello and welcome!

 

[NatJ]

When it is time to transitioning the chicks from my house out into the coop, can I do so without putting heat out there for them? If they are 5ish weeks old and feathered (thats about how long I think I can manage having them inside the house all day in a container) can they handle the temps of low 40s at night which is approximately what it will be in May here in SD?

Yes, that will probably work, if you acclimate them properly.

But take away their heat source while they are still inside your house, and wait about a week before you move them outside.

If you raise them in a room with a window that can open, you might open that window the last few days, so the room is colder (closer to outside temperature.)

Be aware, some chickens grow their feathers much more slowly than others. The ones that feather slowly will need heat for longer than the ones that feather fast. If you get any chicks that are slow feathering, it will be obvious-- they will look half naked when the others are fully feathered. Once they do grow their feathers, there is no way to tell them apart, but they can pass the slow-feathering gene to their offspring if you breed them.

If I absolutely had to I think the heat plate is the best way to go for in the coop BUT there still is some risk, Ive seen pics of them melted from faulty units. I really dont want to take any risk on electrical in the coop.

In general, I agree that it's good to avoid electrical in your coop.

But if you are careful, brooding chicks in your coop can be as safe as brooding them inside your house-- they need a heat source either way, but only for a relatively short time.

 

[Magnolia76]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
They should be fine but I would put a huddle box in a draft free corner of the coop.
Alternatively, you can brood them directly in the coop with a brooder plate for their heat source. Just make the front legs of it higher than the back legs and drape an old towel over it to further trap heat and make it cave like.

That’s a great idea! Thank You!!!

 

[Magnolia76]

That’s a great idea! Thank

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. The Best of Luck with your Chicks! And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska.

 

[416bigbore]

Hello and welcome to BYC. You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of, with many knowledgeable members who are willing to help you along your journey with any questions you may have. Enjoy

 

[Magnolia76]

I am too scared to put anything electrical in the coop as I wouldn’t be able to catch a fire early enough. I’m debating on getting one and using indoors

Yes, that will probably work, if you acclimate them properly.

But take away their heat source while they are still inside your house, and wait about a week before you move them outside.

If you raise them in a room with a window that can open, you might open that window the last few days, so the room is colder (closer to outside temperature.)

Be aware, some chickens grow their feathers much more slowly than others. The ones that feather slowly will need heat for longer than the ones that feather fast. If you get any chicks that are slow feathering, it will be obvious-- they will look half naked when the others are fully feathered. Once they do grow their feathers, there is no way to tell them apart, but they can pass the slow-feathering gene to their offspring if you breed them.



In general, I agree that it's good to avoid electrical in your coop.

But if you are careful, brooding chicks in your coop can be as safe as brooding them inside your house-- they need a heat source either way, but only for a relatively short time.

I work from home and feel better about catching a fire early with it inside the house be outside. I want to minimize the risk as much as possible. Was thinking of using an extra bathroom with tile shower as the brooder. I don’t really want the extra mess but it’s only for a few weeks. Then I can monitor the chicks more frequently also.

 

[Magnolia76]

I am too scared to put anything electrical in the coop as I wouldn’t be able to catch a fire early enough. I’m debating on getting one and using indoors

I work from home and feel better about catching a fire early with it inside the house be outside. I want to minimize the risk as much as possible. Was thinking of using an extra bathroom with tile shower as the brooder. I don’t really want the extra mess but it’s only for a few weeks. Then I can monitor the chicks more frequently also.

I hope I’m replying properly in the right location in this. Good advice especially on making it cooler indoors as they transition!