So I was going to wait until the spring to order my little flock. But, my husband finished the coop this weekend, and told me if I wanted to go ahead and order some chicks, I could. So, little impulsive me, I did!
6 chicks from My Pet Chicken: 2 speckled sussex, 1 light Brahma, 1 welsummer, 1 white cochin, and a barred rock. They will be here the week of Sept. 16.
I live in Northern Maine, and we get cold winters. I plan on keeping them in a brooder in my basement for the first 5 weeks when they arrive, and of course they will be outside on nice days after the first few weeks during the day. That will put us towards the end of October. Will they be feathered enough to keep warm when I boot them to the coop for good? Anything I can do to help make the transition easier?
Here is what my coop looks like, it is not insulated and I plan on wrapping the run with tarp/clear shower curtains to keep the majority of the snow out so they can still get out of the coop for exercise during the winter. I will be using sand in the coop, shavings in the nest boxes. Might keep a layer of shavings over the sand as well for a little extra warmth. I am not comfortable using heat lamps, had a house fire once and I don't want to risk it!!
Oh, and do you think the curtains should come down? I wanted a cute little coop, but not sure if the chickens will peck at the curtains and try to eat them!
6 chicks from My Pet Chicken: 2 speckled sussex, 1 light Brahma, 1 welsummer, 1 white cochin, and a barred rock. They will be here the week of Sept. 16.
I live in Northern Maine, and we get cold winters. I plan on keeping them in a brooder in my basement for the first 5 weeks when they arrive, and of course they will be outside on nice days after the first few weeks during the day. That will put us towards the end of October. Will they be feathered enough to keep warm when I boot them to the coop for good? Anything I can do to help make the transition easier?
Here is what my coop looks like, it is not insulated and I plan on wrapping the run with tarp/clear shower curtains to keep the majority of the snow out so they can still get out of the coop for exercise during the winter. I will be using sand in the coop, shavings in the nest boxes. Might keep a layer of shavings over the sand as well for a little extra warmth. I am not comfortable using heat lamps, had a house fire once and I don't want to risk it!!
Oh, and do you think the curtains should come down? I wanted a cute little coop, but not sure if the chickens will peck at the curtains and try to eat them!
