How do you move chicks outside in cold weather?

[Susan Skylark]

I have 6 four week old chicks I’m planning on moving into the garage (10-30F outside) in a few weeks. They are in a 68F basement with no heat lamp. How do I transition them outside? This fall was nice and warm so I could just move the chicks out during a warm spell and they transitioned fine but this is a bit more of a shock for the poor things. I don’t have a 40-50 degree transition option, just house or cold. I did get a small heater to keep the water bottles warm, would putting them under that for a few weeks ease the transition?

 

[Nabiki]

I would start by moving them out during the day and moving them back in at night for a while. Start moving them out earlier each day (it's coldest in the early morning) so they get exposed to the worst of the cold but not for too long.

They should acclimate in a week, two at most. Of course, make sure that they are dry, out of the wind, and have small shelters. Those small shelters can warm up quite quickly with their body heat.

 

[Susan Skylark]

They will be in an insulated garage, 10-20 degrees warmer than outside temp, no drafts or moisture, but also temp doesn’t change quickly with outside temp (cave like) so yes it does get colder and warmer with outside shifts but much more gradual.

 

[peafowl_Lover]

I had mine out in the day but in in the night. Now they are in a big cage in my garage, in the night I still lock them into a wooden crate so they can stay warm. It's quite cold over here now.

 

[Susan Skylark]

I’m rather impressed with my little heater, it is maintaining 60F, the garage is 45F, outside is 15-30F. This is the same batch that wanted to die in the basement when I shut off the heat lamp (68F no lamp)! A couple birds are actually sunbathing, on their side and legs stretched out and it is colder?! Maybe they like the warmer yellow orange light vs the cold white of the basement light? I will never understand quail! I’ll start dropping the setting on the heater tomorrow (fourth day outside) and wean them off it over the next week.