Chicks in October: winter edition

[kzas]

Thank you all so much for your help! Chicken people are so friendly!

 

[kzas]

I'm in the Madison area...you?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

From Wisconsin as well, I recommend waiting until next spring, for chicks, I wait until June to avoid all the problems from the cold and wet. You could get some started hens or adults in the mean time, or do a lot of learning and planning, brooding chicks can be tricky if you're a novice, and brooding out of season could be a disaster.

 

[tenman78]

Winnebago co. IL here, I'm new at chickens too ,but I just put my 3 week olds out in their coop with a 100w heat lamp pointed at one corner of the coop and they seem as happy as can be, were getting roudy in their brooder indoors.

 

[Folly's place]

I raised chicks in winter here in Michigan ONCE, and won't do it again. The $$$ spent on the heat lamp until they were fully feathered, and then the time spent reducing the heat when it was very cold, just wasn't worth it to me. You will have an easier time, and less cost, and a much better selection of breeds, by waiting until spring. Closing windows will provide inadequate ventilation, a very bad thing. Also, if you are getting chicks in the mail, be careful about temperature extremes. I order chicks in spring, after the weather moderates, and before summer heat. Mary

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's why I raise mine in June, almost no heat needed, as well as it being dry enough not to worry about cocidiosis. And I can get them out to the coop by 6-8 weeks.

 

[tenman78]

I'm watching them closely,they were used to no heat lamp in my basement,and Ive had them outside a couple hours every day for about a week. Their feathers are growing in quite quickly,and are cold resistant Australorp/Amercauna mix.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm watching them closely,they were used to no heat lamp in my basement,and Ive had them outside a couple hours every day for about a week.

yours should be fine as they are already older, moving them to the coop was a good idea.

 

[tenman78]

Thanks!

 

[likkatron]

I'm in the Madison area...you?

About and hour or two out of Madison, Lake Geneva, Delevan, around there.