Fall Chicks

[bigern26]

Its been a year since I have had chickens and we are going through withdrawals LOL.
Are there any issues to raising chicks in the fall?
I am in northwest WI and we will not see temps to cold for a couple months.
I was thinking of brooding them in the coop with a brooding plate. Before we had a setup in the garage with a heat lamp but I do not trust that and we need the garage space now.
The coop is good sized with no floor drafts.

I just dont want to be cause off guard when the cold does hit. Jan and feb we can see nights down to -25. It never bothers our full grown ladies. I am mainly concerned with the little ones until Jan. I would be ordering them this week. its supposed to be hot for the next couple weeks.

 

[Dona Worry]

I am wondering the same thing, so no help here. Mine are supposed to arrive in October. I am planning on rigging up a heat lamp in the coop, so they have plenty of space to experience the outside temperatures as well as a cozy spot to gather, and supplementing with chick grit and high fat/high protein/ hot treats.

 

[Molpet]

My halloween hatches have done great... the thanksgiving hatch got frost bite and lost toenails.

 

[Mosey2003]

I like fall hatching. Chicks grow best in cooler temperatures as high heat makes them less apt to eat as much. As long as they're out of a draft and have sufficient heat, they're okay. Mine last year were in a brooder in the barn down to about 0 and were okay with two heat lamps. Preferably, you'd get them set NOW and they'll be feathered before the bitter temps.

 

[ScottKelly1974]

I've been loosing too many chicks. So far I've lost just over a third of the chicks. They are having issues with the cold, and these are supposed to be cold heard. This last weekend was hot, so I set up some chicken wire to give them space to roam during the day. Then I bring them in at evening. At this point I'm going to keep them inside and take them out only if the day is hot and dry. I will introduce them to the outside full time based on judgment of their condition.

I've been using a heat lamp, but I've ordered a radiant heater brooder. I hope this brooder can be used in an outside enclosure.

 

[lutherpug]

Lots of people brood in their outdoor coops with no problems. I did it last December and January without any trouble. I use the Premier1 heat plate as I am wary of heat lamps. As long as they have a way to get warm and your coop dry and well ventilated they will be just fine.