Chicks

[linsenbach]

I have 9 chicks about 1 month or a little over old. And I was wondering if I can keep them outside in their coop. Its inclosed and I have just a small opening for them to get in and out. But at night I'll close that opening. Do I need a light. Or is it warm enough outside I don't need it? It gets to about 55 degrees at night now. So should I keep them back inside or outside OK.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. It may be useful to acclimatise your chicks to the outdoors initially by letting them out for say 30 minutes and observing them (if they huddle together, they are too cold, but if they do their usual chick thing, then they are fine) and do this daily by increasing the duration. I'll let others with more experience chime in with the nighttime set up - I live in a warm climate, and thankfully don't have to worry about cold weather!

More generally, the Learning Centre is a great resource, even for experienced chicken keepers - loads of info on anything chicken. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Joining your state thread (just type your state in the search box) will also put you in contact with other BYC members in your area.

(https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread)

The members here are amazing - very friendly and helpful, so if you need an answer to a question or simply want some reassurance that what you are doing is ok, then post away - we all help each other out here at BYC.

All the best
CT

 

[NickyKnack]

There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around the run.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to the Backyard chickens flock, nice to have you join us.

 

[N F C]

I think letting the chicks get used to the cooler temps gradually as CTKen suggested is the way to go.

Good luck with your chicks!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[SuperChickRuth]

Can I join in? I've got a question about one of our chicks.

We've got two Buff Opingtons, and both seem to be completely healthy except that one of them has an strange way of drinking water. I know how chickens tilt their head back to drink, but this gal flings her neck back, often tipping over backwards or sitting down in the process. We've checked out "stargazing" but we're pretty sure it's not that.

Is this something we should be concerned about?

Anyone with similar experiences?

 

[N F C]

Can I join in? I've got a question about one of our chicks.

We've got two Buff Opingtons, and both seem to be completely healthy except that one of them has an strange way of drinking water. I know how chickens tilt their head back to drink, but this gal flings her neck back, often tipping over backwards or sitting down in the process. We've checked out "stargazing" but we're pretty sure it's not that.

Is this something we should be concerned about?

Anyone with similar experiences?

You'll have better luck getting an answer to your question over on the feeding & watering forum than here (this is the new member forum). Try starting a new post here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/12/feeding-watering-your-flock