First Night Outside!!!

[2plus2 is44]

I put mine out at 3-4 weeks as long as the temp is above 32. They will be fine. The only problem i have is if there is 10 or more 1 may suffocate when they pile up together.

 

[Chukarbuds]

Its been 9 days now. My chicks still come to the gate. I must say I leave for work about 4 pm. Its been in the 90's that time of the day., down in mid 50's at night. When I get home, its dark out and they are crying. Its gonna take them a bit longer than usual to get used to going in the coop themselves. They were used to a brooder light, so I put a tiny ice cube looking bulb in for them, hoping they would enter them selves at night. No luck yet

 

[clogan98]

I had to put mine inside their coop for the first week. Then they just started going in themselves. So proud!

 

[ChickenTeen13]

We have pretty cold winters here and I was wondering if my 5 and a half month old chickens would need heating. We have 4 chickens in a store bought coop that is too small for a regular heat lamp.

 

[clogan98]

How cold and what breed of chickens. Some breeds are heartier than others and also most chickens will survive you just have to watch out for frostbite on combs and wattles and so forth.

 

[ChickenTeen13]

0-20 degrees during the worst part of the winter and I have a RIR, a Buff Orpington, a Barred rock, and a Ameracauna.

 

[clogan98]

Those are cold hearty breeds. My only concern is that you only have three as they huddle together for warmth. They should be fine though. Chickens can handle some pretty cold temps, especially with heavier breeds such as yours.

 

[Chukarbuds]

Well, Im not there to put my babies in before I leave to work, because I think 90 degree's is too hot for such a small coop..the chicks wont even go in there. They head back outside about 11 am for the day. Any other ideas how I can speed up the process or you think it will just take more time than usual? They know when to come out, you'd think they would learn to go back in their "Safe Place".. My spoiled babies probably just want Momma chicken when it gets dark. I unplugged the light about an hour after I put them in the coop. guess what? They lived Hahhaa

 

[Chukarbuds]

0-20 degrees during the worst part of the winter and I have a RIR, a Buff Orpington, a Barred rock, and a Ameracauna.

Dont forget the vaseline when temps get low

 

[Pharmacy Chick]

OMG...my 7 week olds just now put themselves to bed...all six of them. I went outside to help them up that crappy Eglu ladder, and I find NOBODY on the ground and 6 fluffy bodies up top roosting away like they'd done it all their lives! I said, Goodnight, Peeps! And quietly shut the coop door. I am so tickled I can't stand it