How long to brood chicks? Winter costs of doing so...?

[Dutchgirl]

We finally got a hold of an incubator, and now I'm afraid it is too late to set the eggs. I would have to brood the chicks in the garage beginning October 20th or so, in Virginia. When would they be fully feathered?

I have the eggs and incubator ready, but how will I keep or afford to keep them warm through December? I'm not sure how long I would even need to warm them, because I have only used hens in the past and then only in the warm months. Please help and give insight! My six year old is excited to begin.

 

[noitulover]

what part of VA? i'm from the powhatan area (midlothian/richmond/etc.)

i'm getting chicks on october 13th, so we'll be roughly in the same boat...

the earliest we have EVER put chicks outside in a separated section of the coop was around 4-5 weeks old. (quickly feathering breeds) and that was in perfect spring/summer conditions...

this winter i plan to see how the temps go. i definitely won't put them out any earlier than 8 weeks... (that way even the slower breeds will have time to really feather out)...

i will also probably try to take them out for an hour or two around 4-5 weeks every couple of days to get them more used to the outdoors.

 

[crazyhen]

I did that one year. Brooded chicks inside in the winter. Yikes not again. It cost about 15 to 30 dollars a month for the heat alone. Then its cold all the time and they can't get out any. Even in a large brooder they get restless and you have to have diversions for them. I do not keep mine inside past 2 weeks in april. With heat they seem to do well in the coop and run. They sure seem happier too. If you have a really nice spot for them that is easy to heat it might be different for you. Good luck with your peeps. Gloria Jean