Hot Florida temps, can chicks be outside?

[leslielbk]

I've never done this before so I have to ask. I'm getting eight chicks next week. I've always kept them in the house under heat but this is the first time I'm ordering them midsummer. It's midsummer here in Florida lol. Currently it's 95° and the coop goes down to about 90° at night. Would I be able to raise them right in the coop? I have a huge dog crate I've used many times. They'd be separated from the other two older hens. Opinions?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the temperature is consistent to what you have listed you won't even need a heat source. However if it gets too hot that's also an issue, so make sure you have a good gauge on what temperatures are like in the area you plan to place the brooder.

 

[leslielbk]

Today I'm having a rethink. I put a thermometer on the floor of the coop and it's only about 85°. I'm just not sure I should put baby chicks where I can't keep an eye on them. I'll keep them in the house for a bit but when it comes time for a bigger pen then I'll put them out. I always try something different and I haven't killed any yet. I don't want this to be the first time. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

YES you can. Its not optimum, but it can be done.

I keep mine in a big plastic tote w/ a heat plate for the first ten days/two weeks, for extra insurance. After that, I judge by how they are doing, but usually move them to a sheltered area that has power (for said heat plate) for another three weeks +/-.

I'm a little north of you. 87* currently, going to 95* - but 72 at night (mid 60s next week), which is my caution.

 

[leslielbk]

Do you mean the big plastic tote is in your house and then you move them outside to a sheltered area? I'm not sure I understand. My options are bin in the house or bin in the coop as soon as they arrive.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I start in one of these. or perhaps the 27gal sized, but I think its the 40 now - I've replaced once or twice over the years. Inside the house (RV). Either feed bags or scrap towels for the floor. Improves traction, easier on the knee joints when I'm raising ducks.

They move out to a 30x36 wire cage like many use for rabbits. Usually supported off the ground on rails, or in the outdoor shower/shed during winter months. From there they go to the grow out pen, an 8'x12' hoop coop. Then free range city.

 

[leslielbk]

Ah. I get it now. That sounds like a nice setup! I use a big dog crate with 1/2-in hardware wrapped around it so they can't get their heads through. It's heavy, but I'll keep them in there in the house. It has a pan and I put a rubber mat inside with a light dusting of zeolite to absorb poop. That way they don't slip around. Then they'll move out to the coop in a bigger fenced pen that has a hardware cloth top so they can't get out and so they aren't mixing with the other girls yet but they all get used to each other. I'll use the heat mat so they'll have a choice. I'm getting a giant 10x20 run this coming week so everyone will be contained because I have a fox issue. I have another big cage I can put the babies inside but they'll get to be outside in the run until they're big enough to mix with my two old girls. They still lay, thank God.

 

[PeaShack]

I hatched all my chicks and start them inside. For the first couple days I keep them in a large storage container, lid with air holes, a heat plate, soil thermometer under the plate so temp is monitored. This works well too so they stay warm and learn how to eat & drink.

After a few days I move them into a large soft pop-up dog crate and use aspen or pine shavings. Those crates are spacious, easy to hose down for cleaning, and fold away easily when not in use. The mesh provides great ventilation and visibility. The heat plate can be partially covered to maintain warmth underneath.

The peachicks in the pic are huge compared to chicken chicks and this was taken before moving them to a larger pen, but this set up has worked really well for me with starting quail, chickens, and the peas.