cold and new chicks

[wing it]

Hi I have 12 days old coming on oct 15. I live on Long Island NY. It can get cold here. Wondering if I will be able to put them in the coop after they have featherd out. Is there a way I should harded them off?

 

[fldiver97]

Just started with chickens myself this spring....Here is what I have read/heard in several places: Chicks need it warm and draft free...First week temp in brooder should be 95, second week 90 and then 5 degrees lower every week until they are 6 weeks old or temp 70. Then (if they are fully feathered, not fluff but feathers) they should be OK to go in the coop. Now I would think it will be fairly cold in Dec so I would either keep them in a basement or some area of the house where its not very cold or keep a lamp in the coop to keep the temp decent for another 2-3 weeks... I had mine out in the spring at 6-7 week old but nights still dropped to 40 days 50's and low 60's. I let them out in a roofed and sheltered run during the day and had a lamp in their small coop (not insulated, wooden coop but dry and no drafts) at night for a couple of weeks until they were a bit bigger and nights got a little warmer. They did fine but it was spring....Maybe you can find info in the FAQ section.

 

[magsrags]

Ditto, I agree with the first poster. I am over here in Staten island and they do need protection at the age your getting them. I did the garage/basement thing untill I was sure they could survive outside on their own in an unheated coop. Good luck and you can write me anytime for questions.:<)

 

[Darlasmum]

Yep- keep them warm! I bought a small reptile thermometer at the pet store- and layed it in the brooder to keep easy tabs on the temp. I positioned my warming light on a coat rack, so I could slide the light up as the weeks went by.

 

[Amethyste]

Garage is good imho cos they still get the cooler temps etc to help them feather out better!!

Seems all mine did really well that were raised in the garage

 

[wing it]

thanks for the info. btw coop is 8x10 and well insulated I plan on keeping the brooder in the house then....... mayb heat the coop?

 

[fldiver97]

Quote:
Sounds good...you may be OK with a heat lamp in one area and they can hang out there if needed until they look nicely feathered ...just a thought....

 

[teach1rusl]

Well...I'm new, but this is my plan. I too have an insulated coop, but mine is only 6 x 8. I'm going to put my entire brooder in the coop when they're 2-3 weeks old, with their lamp, and then gradually ease them into just the coop (still with lamp). Once feathered, will be turning cold here, so may still continue to use lamp through winter....will wait and see how they do... good luck!

 

[IDIOT HUSBAND]

What kind of chicks do you have? Some do better in cold weather than others.

 

[wing it]

Quote:
wellsummers and Barnevelder, i wil keep them inside till there feathered out