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Kris EO

Kris EO

In the Brooder
Aug 24, 2020
7
43
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Hi there! I’m new to Backyard Chickens and I’m looking forward to being a part of this blog. I’m new to all of this so I will be asking many questions. I’ve never raised chickens before so I need a lot of help. Even with the countless hours of reading and trying to educate myself before I jumped in I still have many questions and concerns and I’m hoping to find some help here. I bought my 4 new chicks 3 weeks ago today. That should make them right around 4.5 weeks of age. All of their adult feathers are coming in nicely. I named them after the first couple of weeks as I didn’t know what to expect never raising one week old chicks before and trying not to become too attached at first for fear I might lose one. But it seems like the many hours of endless sleep, running to the brooder to check the temperature or making sure that their bedding was dry, they had ample food and fresh water they seem like they’re on their way to the next big step of transferring to their coop. This is where I need help! Audrey Mae, Katie Scarlett, Lucy Lou, and Coco Belle are now 4 1/2 weeks old and our lowest temperatures at night are in the mid 50’s. We live in Salmon Creek, WA, near the northern Oregon border. Temperatures during the day are a comfortable high 70’s to mid 80’s. Realizing, from what I’ve read I need to wait until they are at least 6 weeks old to move them, my question is will it still be too cold for them at night? My girls are big babies and love their brooder but I can tell that they’re definitely getting ready to move into a larger space. Any help would be so graciously appreciated! Thank you!... and my girls thank you too!!🤗
 

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Kris EO said:
Hi there! I’m new to Backyard Chickens and I’m looking forward to being a part of this blog. I’m new to all of this so I will be asking many questions. I’ve never raised chickens before so I need a lot of help. Even with the countless hours of reading and trying to educate myself before I jumped in I still have many questions and concerns and I’m hoping to find some help here. I bought my 4 new chicks 3 weeks ago today. That should make them right around 4.5 weeks of age. All of their adult feathers are coming in nicely. I named them after the first couple of weeks as I didn’t know what to expect never raising one week old chicks before and trying not to become too attached at first for fear I might lose one. But it seems like the many hours of endless sleep, running to the brooder to check the temperature or making sure that their bedding was dry, they had ample food and fresh water they seem like they’re on their way to the next big step of transferring to their coop. This is where I need help! Audrey Mae, Katie Scarlett, Lucy Lou, and Coco Belle are now 4 1/2 weeks old and our lowest temperatures at night are in the mid 50’s. We live in Salmon Creek, WA, near the northern Oregon border. Temperatures during the day are a comfortable high 70’s to mid 80’s. Realizing, from what I’ve read I need to wait until they are at least 6 weeks old to move them, my question is will it still be too cold for them at night? My girls are big babies and love their brooder but I can tell that they’re definitely getting ready to move into a larger space. Any help would be so graciously appreciated! Thank you!... and my girls thank you too!!🤗
Click to expand...
 
Hi Kris,
Congrats on your first flock! It’s like an addition to the family, this chicken keeping thing. Your birds will remain healthy and productive for at least three years, with a little bit of sensible care.
Their coop should have a vent, or hole up high, near the roofline, to let excess moisture escape. That will help keep the coop dry.
Adding a heater is not recommended, when it goes out, they are unable to adapt quickly to the cold. Here in Alaska, my coop is double walled, with a moisture barrier and vented. The roosts are wide, so they don’t Get frostbit toes, the feathers protect. My birds have been hutched up in 20 below weather for days on end. Egg collecting needs to be done more often, and the water may freeze without a water heater... but they lay fine in the cold!
I hang a head of cabbage for them to peck, or try beat the boredom with fresh veg and treats from the kitchen.
Just keep them dry...and feed them well, they will thank you themselves!🐥
 
Welcome!

You can (and should) move them to their coop now. They'll love the increased freedom and opportunity to stretch their growing bodies and just be chickens. 🥰

Make sure they have a roost low enough for them to hop up on when they start wanting to roost. I find mine enjoy a smallish cardboard box, upside-down with a little door cut in an end and a side. (Unless their sleeping area is too small for that.) You may have to put them in the box for a few nights.

Your current temps aren't a problem, nor would temps down in the 30s be hard for them. Wind and excessive damp are worse enemies. Make sure they have good venting in the eaves and/or gable ends. If not, cut some holes & staple on hardware cloth.

Also keep a good eye out on hot days & the temps inside the coop (which may be hotter than outdoors). They need shade and constant access to cool, fresh water. (But again, your current temps don't sound problematic.) Some pics of your coop/run would be great.

I may be mistaken, but the barred (black & white speckled) one top right in the second photo strikes me as a boy. Large, red comb, compared to the rest. Males mature faster in the size & color of the comb/wattles.
 

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