Help! Need to move 6 week old chicks

[Annabellaa]

Why not just add a heat plate or lamp in with them? I don’t even expect my grown chickens and roosters to handle that low of temp. I have seen to many feet frozen to different objects at 20degrees Fahrenheit. (Not my birds but neighbors) I always give a heat source when it is freezing temps. My chickens and roosters won’t even come out of their coops when is cold cold or lots of snow on the ground. (Some say I’m ridiculous or they can handle it or my birds are spoiled) I’m ok with that. No one wants to be cold cold so I do what I can to at least make it tolerable for them. At that young I would definitely put a heat source for them especially if you are moving them from indoors to out as it’s still going to be a shock on them. Just my opinion

I really wish I could add a heat source I love the idea of having one but unfortunately it just isn’t in the cards for me. I am on a farm and the spot (the only place I’m able to put the coop) that I am keeping them is on the far side of our 4 barns. We lose power all the time and it usually takes quite a while for us to get it back considering we are pretty far out in the country. The generators we have are already allocated to the house and single barn on the other side of the property. I am worried that we will have a storm and will loose power for long enough that it will shock them more, a sudden drop in temperature that quickly. I have also been told they are a fire hazard and the coop is close enough to a large wooden barn that stores hundreds of straw bales it is just too much of a risk unfortunately. And I do not have the money at the moment to rebuild a coop using metal or purchase another generator. Worst comes to worst I will have to sell them as I do not want to harm them but that is my last resort

 

[Uwish]

I really wish I could add a heat source I love the idea of having one but unfortunately it just isn’t in the cards for me. I am on a farm and the spot (the only place I’m able to put the coop) that I am keeping them is on the far side of our 4 barns. We lose power all the time and it usually takes quite a while for us to get it back considering we are pretty far out in the country. The generators we have are already allocated to the house and single barn on the other side of the property. I am worried that we will have a storm and will loose power for long enough that it will shock them more, a sudden drop in temperature that quickly. I have also been told they are a fire hazard and the coop is close enough to a large wooden barn that stores hundreds of straw bales it is just too much of a risk unfortunately. And I do not have the money at the moment to rebuild a coop using metal or purchase another generator. Worst comes to worst I will have to sell them as I do not want to harm them but that is my last resort

Oh hun I understand I to live in the country and we lose power all the time as well so I totally understand that It’s tough having babies right at winter (I have 5 Iil ones right now) lol they are in the house 3 in a brooder and 2 with mom in a sectioned off area in the same room. Momma hates all other babies but her own she hatched (not even her own lol she hatched my other chickens babies) but to her they are hers. Why I plan on moving I hate winter I am looking at states where there is none to very little winter. Just NO SNOW! Never want to see this crap again
I hope you find a way to keep them even your old gal needs the friends and snuggle buddies. Do you think you could put them in the first barn maybe? This is a tough one on you I’m sure I wish you the best of luck Be thinking and sending positive thoughts your way

 

[Annabellaa]

Oh hun I understand I to live in the country and we lose power all the time as well so I totally understand that It’s tough having babies right at winter (I have 5 Iil ones right now) lol they are in the house 3 in a brooder and 2 with mom in a sectioned off area in the same room. Momma hates all other babies but her own she hatched (not even her own lol she hatched my other chickens babies) but to her they are hers. Why I plan on moving I hate winter I am looking at states where there is none to very little winter. Just NO SNOW! Never want to see this crap again
I hope you find a way to keep them even your old gal needs the friends and snuggle buddies. Do you think you could put them in the first barn maybe? This is a tough one on you I’m sure I wish you the best of luck Be thinking and sending positive thoughts your way

I happened upon having chicks completely by accident as well. I got a friend of mine to order birds for me on her order and wasn’t told I was getting chicks. Everyday it’s something new with these these demons but they are so cute and I love them I just want to give them a good life but winters in northern Ontario are so rough. I haven’t taken them out of my garage coop yet I’m way too scared lol! I have a thermometer that connects to my phone in both coops and I watch it all night. I’m one more snow storm away from letting them all sleep in my bed at night lol. It would definitely be nice to never have to deal with the snow again, a girl can dream anyways. I worry so much about my order girl being alone as well. I haven’t tried getting the coop the barn yet but I’m thinking that may be a saving grace as well. It’s just so massive and getting the tractor in the door is a real pain in the butt. If only I knew how much these little dinosaurs would take over my life (not mad about it tho lol)

 

[Uwish]

I happened upon having chicks completely by accident as well. I got a friend of mine to order birds for me on her order and wasn’t told I was getting chicks. Everyday it’s something new with these these demons but they are so cute and I love them I just want to give them a good life but winters in northern Ontario are so rough. I haven’t taken them out of my garage coop yet I’m way too scared lol! I have a thermometer that connects to my phone in both coops and I watch it all night. I’m one more snow storm away from letting them all sleep in my bed at night lol. It would definitely be nice to never have to deal with the snow again, a girl can dream anyways. I worry so much about my order girl being alone as well. I haven’t tried getting the coop the barn yet but I’m thinking that may be a saving grace as well. It’s just so massive and getting the tractor in the door is a real pain in the butt. If only I knew how much these little dinosaurs would take over my life (not mad about it tho lol)

I get it I actually have 1 chicken that is a house chicken and often I wake up and she is sleeping in bed with me under the blanket snuggled up she has only pooped in the bed 1 time. There was a couple days last winter it was bad bad and you guessed it I brought everyone inside for a few nights. That includes 2 ducks lol lucky I have hard wood floors in my home and put down tons of paper in the spare bed room sectioned it off and that’s where everyone stayed lol yep I had some clean up but it’s just cleaning no biggie I had birds that lived I don’t think they would have otherwise. My coop isn’t insulated (I was planning on being moved by now)
Maybe you wouldn’t have to move the whole coop in the barn. Since you only have your 1 old gal and the younger ones maybe you could just section off part with chicken wire or wood panels. (I have had to get very creative a few times. Sounds like maybe your old gal is in more need then the younger ones since she is alone.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I am in northern Quebec, so I understand your worries. -3 is just the beginning. I can hit -35 or even -40 quite a few times in a winter.

If you can get the coop inside another building to cut the cold that will go a long way. That also means they can go out of the coop in winter to walk around a little.

You'll want to insulate the coop somehow, even if it is inside a bigger building.

Anything that can be recycled into insulation can help. By the way, you can insulate from the outside too, if easier. Old carpets, tin from an old roof, plastic sheets (hardware store type they use over materials in the outside lots can help cut the wind). If you can put something up against the wall, then cover it so it stays dry it I'll help. (Picture a garbage bag of plastic bags from your recycling bin, and then cover it with some plywood. You've created a block for the cold. )

I created a covered run for them from some old windows and wood from an old building. I had some old insulation I put in garbage bags, pushed them up against the walls, and then closed the wall with wood, it helps.

Water dripping into their space is a bigger problem than I expected, if it drops inside and makes ice, that keeps cold inside. Recall that the fridge used to be called the icebox and was just a wooden box with a big ice cube inside and it kept everything cold.

Also, the floor is more important for them than for you, so if you can put a false floor on-top of your normal floor then your straw on top, that will be warmer for them. A cold floor is a bigger problem than anything else because their feet are the most cold sensitive part of them.

If you know someone who can take a few, it it be easier to integrate your old hen to the new flock, but if you leave her with a few new friends that would be nice. There will be some fighting, let them sort it out, only intervene if you see blood, anything shy of that is normal and necessary (sorry) it is their nature, they need to establish the pecking order. The sooner it is done, the easier it is for them. You can call time out and send them back to their corner like a boxing match, but the fight is normal.

 

[Annabellaa]

I get it I actually have 1 chicken that is a house chicken and often I wake up and she is sleeping in bed with me under the blanket snuggled up she has only pooped in the bed 1 time. There was a couple days last winter it was bad bad and you guessed it I brought everyone inside for a few nights. That includes 2 ducks lol lucky I have hard wood floors in my home and put down tons of paper in the spare bed room sectioned it off and that’s where everyone stayed lol yep I had some clean up but it’s just cleaning no biggie I had birds that lived I don’t think they would have otherwise. My coop isn’t insulated (I was planning on being moved by now)
Maybe you wouldn’t have to move the whole coop in the barn. Since you only have your 1 old gal and the younger ones maybe you could just section off part with chicken wire or wood panels. (I have had to get very creative a few times. Sounds like maybe your old gal is in more need then the younger ones since she is alone.

I am beyond jealous lol. If I wasn’t still living at home I’d be bringing them in as often as I could. Parents aren’t to keen on the chicken situation. And I did end up doing exactly that thank you! I separated them within the coop by chicken wire and an old piece of wood with hinges so I’m able to get in and out of the chicks side. They don’t seem upset but they also don’t seem too pleased with living together/ being separated. But one day at a time they’ll get used to it I hope!

 

[Annabellaa]

I am in northern Quebec, so I understand your worries. -3 is just the beginning. I can hit -35 or even -40 quite a few times in a winter.

If you can get the coop inside another building to cut the cold that will go a long way. That also means they can go out of the coop in winter to walk around a little.

You'll want to insulate the coop somehow, even if it is inside a bigger building.

Anything that can be recycled into insulation can help. By the way, you can insulate from the outside too, if easier. Old carpets, tin from an old roof, plastic sheets (hardware store type they use over materials in the outside lots can help cut the wind). If you can put something up against the wall, then cover it so it stays dry it I'll help. (Picture a garbage bag of plastic bags from your recycling bin, and then cover it with some plywood. You've created a block for the cold. )

I created a covered run for them from some old windows and wood from an old building. I had some old insulation I put in garbage bags, pushed them up against the walls, and then closed the wall with wood, it helps.

Water dripping into their space is a bigger problem than I expected, if it drops inside and makes ice, that keeps cold inside. Recall that the fridge used to be called the icebox and was just a wooden box with a big ice cube inside and it kept everything cold.

Also, the floor is more important for them than for you, so if you can put a false floor on-top of your normal floor then your straw on top, that will be warmer for them. A cold floor is a bigger problem than anything else because their feet are the most cold sensitive part of them.

If you know someone who can take a few, it it be easier to integrate your old hen to the new flock, but if you leave her with a few new friends that would be nice. There will be some fighting, let them sort it out, only intervene if you see blood, anything shy of that is normal and necessary (sorry) it is their nature, they need to establish the pecking order. The sooner it is done, the easier it is for them. You can call time out and send them back to their corner like a boxing match, but the fight is normal.

I am beyond lucky that I was able to insulate the final winter coop, mostly with things laying around the property. I have the structure that is insulated with R12 fibreglass a vapour barrier and then wood to close it all in. As well as a subfloor that is insulated and a vinyl sheet on top of the actual floor to make for easy clean up. I’ve caulked up spray foamed all the gaps, put a lining around the door so it’s air tight. The damn thing is built like a house! They are currently separated within their coop and I am DREADING putting them together. For exactly the reasons you mentioned. I am so worried about the fights that may break out. Would u recommend letting them fight it out in the coop? Or outside on slightly less cold days? And should I continue to separate them at night until I’m sure they won’t start up again before I get to them or just let them fight as much as they want?

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Wow! You have a bright future doing anything you dream up! Great job on the renovation!

I would give them lots of room to 'work it out' the weaker one will run away and the further she can run the less likely the top bird will keep chasing her. The weaker one ideally will run away and try to hide under something, this will show the others she accepts the head bird as the most powerful one.

If you can give them separate sleeping quarters that is simpler. My top girl has decided she has her own bedroom, she has one cubby all for her, the others are not allowed into it. It is big enough for 4 birds where she sleeps, and has the best perches, but she won't let anyone else sleep in there. There is enough room in the rest of the coop for the others, so I don't get involved, they are fine where they sleep.

 

[Annabellaa]

Wow! You have a bright future doing anything you dream up! Great job on the renovation!

I would give them lots of room to 'work it out' the weaker one will run away and the further she can run the less likely the top bird will keep chasing her. The weaker one ideally will run away and try to hide under something, this will show the others she accepts the head bird as the most powerful one.

If you can give them separate sleeping quarters that is simpler. My top girl has decided she has her own bedroom, she has one cubby all for her, the others are not allowed into it. It is big enough for 4 birds where she sleeps, and has the best perches, but she won't let anyone else sleep in there. There is enough room in the rest of the coop for the others, so I don't get involved, they are fine where they sleep.

That is so kind thank you so much! I ended up just biting the bullet and letting them work it out, they sleep on separate sides of the coop just like u said they would. And after some pretty gnarly disagreements they seem to tolerate each other! My older girl seems to have become the top hen, the younger ones seem to stay out of her way, which is much better than all 5 of them ganging up on her. All in all they seem to be getting along decently well! A peck here and there but for the most part they don’t rlly even pay attention to each other. My big worry is tonight though…at -15 and sleeping on the other side of the coop I’m worried she may not make it through the night. The temp dropped so suddenly and they really do refuse to sleep anywhere near each other. I do not have any heaters in my coop aside from a small pad that keeps the water from freezing. I am worried that something will happen tonight is there anything at all I can do to avoid that at the last minute?

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

That is so kind thank you so much! I ended up just biting the bullet and letting them work it out, they sleep on separate sides of the coop just like u said they would. And after some pretty gnarly disagreements they seem to tolerate each other! My older girl seems to have become the top hen, the younger ones seem to stay out of her way, which is much better than all 5 of them ganging up on her. All in all they seem to be getting along decently well! A peck here and there but for the most part they don’t rlly even pay attention to each other. My big worry is tonight though…at -15 and sleeping on the other side of the coop I’m worried she may not make it through the night. The temp dropped so suddenly and they really do refuse to sleep anywhere near each other. I do not have any heaters in my coop aside from a small pad that keeps the water from freezing. I am worried that something will happen tonight is there anything at all I can do to avoid that at the last minute?

They fight less when they are cold, it is rare they get really to the point of killing or serious injury, mostly the top hen demands respect, the others show it sooner than later. Put as much bedding as you can spare, they will likely put aside their fighting when it gets cold and huddle together. My bottom hen climbs into the smallest part of the "huddle" when she needs to and the others are not too mean, they let her come in. All bodies give heat, even the lowest hen, so the others will take her in, because they get her heat in exchange.