cold

[fireguy56]

Quote:
So Wyoming, Open invite to come to SE Louisiana next July or August and work in the heat and humidity with me doing Firefighting and Construction work for a week...we'll seperate the men from the boys. But all kidding aside, I wouldn't recommend putting any young chicks into a cold enviroment that early. Commercial hatcheries use heat for the young for a reason. I think they may know alittle more than those of us that think we are poultry experts. Just my opinion. (Go Saints)
Erik

 

[wyododge]

Ummm 120* in the summer.

And no there was no mother, chicks came in a box.

We lost one chick. But not to cold her neck was broken somehow. We did what we could but there was no saving here.

Chicks do not need heat. They huddle together for warmth, run to get food, huddle, run to get water, huddle.

I assure you chicks do not need heat unless there are only one or two.

Heck I got the advise right here on byc. Member Ruth did a whole write up on it. Don't believe me. She is a southerner so believe her. But the fact remains CHICKS DO NOT NEED ARTIFICIAL HEAT.

 

[wyododge]

Umm ya I have done workover and drilled inthe oil fields all over was in construction for over 20 years. Farmed a 230 acre farm by my self. Trust me I know what hot AND cold are. And chicks do not need heat.

 

[fireguy56]

Opinions vary, I'll stick with some warmth for the first few weeks untill they are feathered out and strong enough.
Erik

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
I'm right there with ya neighbor.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Yes, chicks need heat (either with a broody hen and/or a heat lamp) until they are fully feathered--unless it's above 100 degrees outside.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Time to come see us over here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=421122&p=1

I'm in Maine and believe you'll do your birds a giant disservice by heating your coop. Heat your water enough so it doesn't freeze, but leave the coop temperature alone. Make sure they can cover their feet when they roost and get out of the wind. Otherwise, they'll be fine. They do want you to shovel their run area free of snow though, they won't go out if they can't see the ground. I shovel and then throw a bit of hay or coop shavings on top so they know it's flat and they won't sink.

As far as chicks go, I throw them out in the coop as soon as they're fully feathered, by about 4-5 weeks. I've thrown some out in the middle of summer, others out in the middle of winter. Again, as long as they can get out of the wind and get snuggly, they'll be fine.

 

[fireguy56]

Quote:
Hi, I think you are missing the point. It is not whether full grown chickens can handle the cold without heat, but that someone suggested that 3 day old chicks be subjected to it. As I said...opinions vary , but from every book I have read...every old time chicken farmer I got advice from and a friend in Arkansas that raised one and a half MILLION chickens for a major poultry processor....chicks NEED heat in the first several weeks, especially in cold climates. Thats what is great about this site...advice from every point of view. Use what you think best. For me, I will provide heat. Just my opinion. good luck.
Erik