Hi! We're in Ohio and new to Chickens

[NewChickPaula]

Hello to everyone! What a great site...so full of such great information that I had to join!

We are looking at this as our new "Adventure"...raising chickens.

My hubby is retired and we lost our best friend and companion, our 13 yr old dog, Dixie, in January. We didn't want another dog right now, so we were "hey lets get chickens!" Not quite like that but close!
My husband (who had chickens as a boy) has built a coop and run and the chicks, that are about 4 weeks now, are in the garage growing rapidly.
We decided on some Rhode Island Reds, Australorps and Silver Laced Wyandottes for our first flock.

I have so many questions and find myself reading everything I can get my hands on. The reason I came to be here.

We are in eastern Ohio, so the weather is still on the chilly side. I am wondering if getting the chicks out to the coop would be a good idea if I put the heat lamp out there. I feel like they need more room or maybe are getting bored in the box we have them in.
I will keep looking for answers to all my questions.

It is good to be here!

Paula

 

[FreshHappyEggs]

I am also in Ohio and new to chickens. My chicks (red sex links) are 5 weeks old and just went to the coop a few days ago. They were way too big for the box they were in. I did put the heat lamp in the coop, had it on the first 3 nights since it was still cold. They have done fine so far. It is warmer now so they are doing without the lamp.

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, NewChickPaula, and

! Great to have you aboard! BYC is a great place to learn the ropes of chicken keeping. The first best place to start is the Learning Center - there you can learn the ins and out of poultry care and maintenance.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Chicks should have supplemental heat until they are fully feathered at 6 weeks of age.

 

[NewChickPaula]

Nice to meet you! We live near Piedmont Lake.

I may think about putting them out tomorrow.... maybe...still not sure. LOL! I'm just so new at this I don't want to screw it up!
I had read where you should keep them in their coop for three days before letting them out into the yard, so they know where to go and roost. I wonder if that means even their pen?
It's supposed to rain tomorrow and then all week, but be warmer than it's been. Decisions, decisions.

 

[melissa3437]

Hey! I'm new here too. I'm from Western Pa. Good luck with your babies. I used a small pool... the ones with the inflatable sides and put the bedding totally over the bottom. It was at least 4X6 and wire over the top. it gave me lots of room for my babies (12) and when i was done i hosed it out and have it for this year. Hope all goes well.

BTW...I kept my first babies in for a while mid may... even to their coop. i ran extension cords so they could have warm if they needed it.

 

[FreshHappyEggs]

Nice to meet you! We live near Piedmont Lake.

I may think about putting them out tomorrow.... maybe...still not sure. LOL! I'm just so new at this I don't want to screw it up!
I had read where you should keep them in their coop for three days before letting them out into the yard, so they know where to go and roost. I wonder if that means even their pen?
It's supposed to rain tomorrow and then all week, but be warmer than it's been. Decisions, decisions.

I'm no expert, but they'll probably be fine with the heat lamp. Especially since the weather is much warmer this week. (At least it is here in Lancaster.)
My chicks are fully feathered now and don't seem to be cold at all. My coop is not insulated but has good draft protection and it seems to be much warmer in there than outside.
I have heard that too, a guy I talked to who has tons of chickens said to leave them in their coop for the first week and they will always return at night.
Good luck

 

[FreshHappyEggs]

Hey! I'm new here too. I'm from Western Pa. Good luck with your babies. I used a small pool... the ones with the inflatable sides and put the bedding totally over the bottom. It was at least 4X6 and wire over the top. it gave me lots of room for my babies (12) and when i was done i hosed it out and have it for this year. Hope all goes well.

BTW...I kept my first babies in for a while mid may... even to their coop. i ran extension cords so they could have warm if they needed it.

Wish I had thought of that. The cardboard box was a nightmare, especially after they spilled the water and the box got all soggy.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

So very glad you joined us!!