Do they have to be in the house?

I agree! As long as they have a source of warmth and protection from predators, they will be fine. All of our day-olds start out in a wire dog crate with a heat lamp inside our garage. I'm pretty sure DH would put an end to my chicken obsession if the babies had to be in the house.
 
When I was growing up we always had them in a secure brooder out in the coop. It all depends on your comfort level where you want them.
 
I kept mine in the barn with a heat lamp. A garage would work too. Just as long as it's not a drafty place.
 
If they are newborn, I would make it so they don't have the ability to wander anywhere far from the heat lamp--sometimes young 'uns don't firgure out what to do to stay warm right away.
If they're a little older, I'd watch to make sure there aren't barriers (even just mental ones) that keep them from easily finding their way to warmth. I had some young chickens die in outdoor night chill the 3rd day they had access to an outdoor run that required a hop-up to get back in the door of the coop.
 

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