How late is too late to get chicks in the fall? (I live in Chicagoland suburbs)

[Sashjack]

Hey there,
My family has been very interested in keeping chickens for a while. We recently just got the opportunity to be able to get some, but are wondering if it’s too late to get day-old chicks so that we would be able to transfer them to an outdoor coop before the cold hits, having to let them grow inside for 4-5 weeks before transferring (the coop would be well insulated, but I’ve been told to not use heat lamps). We’re located in the Chicagoland suburbs and the weather can be weird, so we’re not sure when it’ll get really cold. It’s possible that it’ll be less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit in 4-5 weeks. Does anyone have experience with this and know if it’s still possible to safely transfer 5 week old chicks outside in cold weather (5/6 weeks from now)? If so, how did you do it? Thanks so much!

 

[BullChick]

Yes, it’s possible. I agree it’s not great to have heat lamps in the coop. However, as long as you have it double secured, and the bulb covered, it’s fine. Of course there’s also heat plates and caves (electric and non).
Okay, getting past the heat lamp subject, they can be outside in a few weeks without heat. In the house, don’t look at the temperature of the brooder. If they are quiet and active, they are fine. Try to get them weaned from heat in the house by 3-4 weeks. Depending on the temperature of your house, it can be sooner. I like my air conditioning. Let the chicks play outside during the day. I just checked your (Chicago) 14 day forecast. I think you can put the chicks in the coop by the end of September without issue. At night, they will sleep close out of nervousness. If they are quiet, they are fine.

 

[Sashjack]

Yes, it’s possible. I agree it’s not great to have heat lamps in the coop. However, as long as you have it double secured, and the bulb covered, it’s fine. Of course there’s also heat plates and caves (electric and non).
Okay, getting past the heat lamp subject, they can be outside in a few weeks without heat. In the house, don’t look at the temperature of the brooder. If they are quiet and active, they are fine. Try to get them weaned from heat in the house by 3-4 weeks. Depending on the temperature of your house, it can be sooner. I like my air conditioning. Let the chicks play outside during the day. I just checked your (Chicago) 14 day forecast. I think you can put the chicks in the coop by the end of September without issue. At night, they will sleep close out of nervousness. If they are quiet, they are fine.

Thanks! I was considering getting a flat panel heater for them if anything- although I’ve heard that if they have a source of heat in the coop, they won’t be able to go without it throughout the winter; is that true? Also, what would you say is the limit to how cold it can be outside for them to be transferred, in case it is much colder in the coming weeks?

 

[BullChick]

This is the electric cave. People also use something as simple as a feather duster for the chicks to snuggle under.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[BullChick]

Never forget that the windchill has nothing to do with the temperature inside the coop.
I personally was able to put chicks and ducklings outside as young as 2-3 weeks during the winter. They had a ton of straw, and adults in the coop as body heat.
To give a number, I would say that the overnight temperature should be at least 45°, but better 50 the first couple nights.
Yes, it is totally true that adding heat will cause problems if you lose power during the winter. That is not the same thing as putting heat in the coop when they are chicks though. You just have to wean them off of the additional heat.

 

[Flockincrazy]

Hey there,
My family has been very interested in keeping chickens for a while. We recently just got the opportunity to be able to get some, but are wondering if it’s too late to get day-old chicks so that we would be able to transfer them to an outdoor coop before the cold hits, having to let them grow inside for 4-5 weeks before transferring (the coop would be well insulated, but I’ve been told to not use heat lamps). We’re located in the Chicagoland suburbs and the weather can be weird, so we’re not sure when it’ll get really cold. It’s possible that it’ll be less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit in 4-5 weeks. Does anyone have experience with this and know if it’s still possible to safely transfer 5 week old chicks outside in cold weather (5/6 weeks from now)? If so, how did you do it? Thanks so much!

Your best bet would be wait till spring i don't think that 4-5wk old chicks will make it through a Chicago winter but thats my opinion if you really want to you could keep them inside longer and then get a heat mat or something like that for in the coop and make sure it is well insulated

 

[NatJ]

Also, what would you say is the limit to how cold it can be outside for them to be transferred, in case it is much colder in the coming weeks?

Outside temperature doesn't matter.
What matters is the temperature where the chicks are.

You can brood chicks in the coop from the very first day, with a heat source.
Any brooding instructions will talk about lowering the temperature as the chicks grow--that works just the same in a coop as it does in a house. You just keep gradually reducing the temperature until you are no longer providing heat.

It works best to have one spot the "right" temperature (95 degrees the first week, cooler as they get older.) Then have all the rest of the space be whatever temperature it happens to be. At first, the chicks will stay close to the heat. By the time they are a week or two old, they will happily run into cold areas (even below freezing) for various amounts of time, then run back to the heat to warm up before they do it again.

I suggest you get the coop built or purchased before you get any chicks.
It is frustrating to have the chicks getting big and smelly in the house, but still need to finish the coop before you can move them out.

(And if you do brood the chicks inside the coop--no question about when to "move them out" because they are already there. Just a matter of reducing the heat at an appropriate rate.)

 

[tripletfeb]

I live in northern Ohio, much the same weather as you. I would not hesitate to get day old chicks now. They will be feathered out and be in the coop well before it gets too cold out. Just remember, in winter, ventilation is key. Keep them dry and keep the coop ventilated, they will be fine. Good luck!

 

[Tonyroo]

Reading this reminded me of my leghorn hen that froze to death one winter, but I was living in another area and was very new to chickens 25 years ago. Sorry not helpful.

 

[svh]

I just bought 10 - 3 week old pullets (supposedly) this morning. They are in the house right now, but I plan to move them to the coop, in a separate brooder within a week.