Fall chicks in Montana

[Mountain Granny]

Hi, my chicks are 10 weeks old. Americanas, buff orpingtons, saphieres and one home hatched silkie the same age. We live in Montana and the temps are low 30s and 20s . When could they go out to the coop ? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Ridgerunner]

About 4 weeks ago.

 

[Chicken Heel]

They should do fine.

 

[LtDanFan]

Im in Wisconsin and have about 10 week olds i hatched out that i thought I’d have to keep inside until spring but they are getting so big. We don’t have a large coop yet (2 small pre-fab coops at the moment) but plan on building one before the winter. With freezing temps and snow, can i really let the babies out with the adults during the winter?
They are not quite fully feathered should i wait until their baby fluff is gone?

 

[Chicken Heel]

Im in Wisconsin and have about 10 week olds i hatched out that i thought I’d have to keep inside until spring but they are getting so big. We don’t have a large coop yet (2 small pre-fab coops at the moment) but plan on building one before the winter. With freezing temps and snow, can i really let the babies out with the adults during the winter?
They are not quite fully feathered should i wait until their baby fluff is gone?

In my experiences, it is best to harden chicks by not keeping them inside much longer than a few weeks. I have never had any chicks with down (baby fluff) at ten weeks of age.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Im in Wisconsin and have about 10 week olds i hatched out that i thought I’d have to keep inside until spring but they are getting so big. We don’t have a large coop yet (2 small pre-fab coops at the moment) but plan on building one before the winter. With freezing temps and snow, can i really let the babies out with the adults during the winter?
They are not quite fully feathered should i wait until their baby fluff is gone?

I've had chicks 5-1/2 weeks old go through nights in the mid 20's Fahrenheit with no heat. They were out of any wind and had great ventilation. They had been exposed to cooler temperatures as they were raised outside in a large brooder in the coop so some portions of that brooder cooled off in cold weather.

Just because they can handle those temperatures in the right conditions (ventilation and wind protection) does not mean they have to. If you want to keep them in you can, it's just that you don't have to.

Could you please post a photo of a 10-week-old chick with baby fluff. That sounds strange.

 

[LtDanFan]

I've had chicks 5-1/2 weeks old go through nights in the mid 20's Fahrenheit with no heat. They were out of any wind and had great ventilation. They had been exposed to cooler temperatures as they were raised outside in a large brooder in the coop so some portions of that brooder cooled off in cold weather.

Just because they can handle those temperatures in the right conditions (ventilation and wind protection) does not mean they have to. If you want to keep them in you can, it's just that you don't have to.

Could you please post a photo of a 10-week-old chick with baby fluff. That sounds strange.

I looked back at the hatch date, its prob closer to 6 weeks. I calculated incorrectly, apologies. But here’s a few pics. I want to keep them safe as long as possible. My wonderful rooster died unexpectedly and some of these babies are his. Plus i lost one of my CCL hens and i really would like to have blue eggs in the mix.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Huddle box aka wool hen (fleece blanket strips hanging in a cardboard box)

Search group for different set ups. I just used a cheapie fleece blanket, cut strips, hung them in a box on side, and babies would cuddle/huddle when needed. Just a suggestion

 

[LtDanFan]

Huddle box aka wool hen (fleece blanket strips hanging in a cardboard box)

Search group for different set ups. I just used a cheapie fleece blanket, cut strips, hung them in a box on side, and babies would cuddle/huddle when needed. Just a suggestion

Maybe if i get one of those kits to tie together we can modify it to provide a fake hen a space where they can be safe and warm-ish. Eventually they will have to be ok with cold, i just worry about tossing out little babies into a wisconsin winter with no prep.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Day trips outside? They may take quite quick to outside.

I don't have anything to add other than the huddle box. We have 2week old chicks outside in side brooder, on heat and windblocked, but been out since day 3, central indiana here. After watching our broody hen do it twice in dec and feb knew the brooder plates would work, glad i had two.

Good luck!