INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[sunnie7]

Idk why my reply came out funky!

They are in a large tote inside right now and I'm going to move them to the garage tomorrow. I just didn't want it to be mid winter when I'm moving them outside to the coop. How long are they okay in the tote for? They are 5.5 weeks now.

 

[tmarsh83]

Idk why my reply came out funky!

They are in a large tote inside right now and I'm going to move them to the garage tomorrow. I just didn't want it to be mid winter when I'm moving them outside to the coop. How long are they okay in the tote for? They are 5.5 weeks now.

When you quoted you typed your response inside the quote field. It happens.

 

[JanetMarie]

Idk why my reply came out funky!

They are in a large tote inside right now and I'm going to move them to the garage tomorrow. I just didn't want it to be mid winter when I'm moving them outside to the coop. How long are they okay in the tote for? They are 5.5 weeks now.

They are probably too big for the tote. You'll know for sure when they start jumping out. It will be easier on them to start acclimating them now to cooler temps. Maybe some nights keep them in their coop, and when colder keep them in the garage?

I also would not use, and do not use a heat lamp. I use a pet heating pad, but soon they may start roosting.

 

[sunnie7]

They are probably too big for the tote.  You'll know for sure when they start jumping out.  It will be easier on them to start acclimating them now to cooler temps.  Maybe some nights keep them in their coop, and when colder keep them in the garage?


I also would not use, and do not use a heat lamp.  I use a pet heating pad, but soon they may start roosting.

Here they are in the tote right now. What type pad do you have and do you just sit it below the shavings and straw??

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Idk why my reply came out funky!

They are in a large tote inside right now and I'm going to move them to the garage tomorrow. I just didn't want it to be mid winter when I'm moving them outside to the coop. How long are they okay in the tote for? They are 5.5 weeks now.

No worries, we have all had that happen in a post.
Can anyone else that raises these 2 breeds give more insight? I haven't had Bantams in a long time and don't want to base my opinion on large fowl.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

After a few days of Turkey discussion and planning with my family (especially DH), I caved. We placed an early order with Porters for crossbred poults for next spring. They have a special running right now, $4.99 each minimum order 15. with shipping its $6 a poult total. I just can't see wasting money on BBW/BBB again, way too many issues with flip (heart attack). Its my hope to start over with a new flock, very mixed gene pool for large hardy birds. Big thanks to @Indyshent for mentioning that option with Porters to me!

My EE/OE flock, the same thoughts. I have a couple AM roosters. Starting over with the few existing hens, and will add Sumatra hens for a short period to see what turns out. We still have a couple heritage breed chickens, but honestly am not as concerned about breed as I am dual purpose chickens for our farm. Really enjoy a colorful egg basket! We also like to have excess roosters for our table.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@sunnie7

I agree that it's time to get them acclimated. My DAY OLD babies were outside in the barn with just a heat plate or a heating pad brooder to warm up under when the temps were in the 20's and 30's and they were fine. But since yours have been inside, you need to start making the transition. 5 weeks is pretty old and they will do fine if you allow them a warm place and a place to get away from the heat.

At 5 weeks old they would love to be running around in what's left of the grass outside.


It will likely be hard to train them to a heat plate or a heating pad brooder since they are so old. But with a heat pad brooder they would also lay on top of it and get some warmth. If they've had a light on 24/7 it will be an adjustment to go from that to dark nights so there will be a lot of loud peeping at first. But you could start out with a heat cave made with a heat pad raised up high enough for them to get under and stuff them under it in the dark so they stay in there.


Here is an example of my heat pad brooder. It has adjustable legs so I can get it high enough for older chicks to go under.


I used an old piece of closet shelf cut to the size of the heat pad. Used carriage bolts for legs.




Leg height is adjustable with a nut under and a wing nut on top to easily adjust the height.






Looking at the bottom - heat pad is strapped on with small bungies UNDER it so that they can push up against the pad for warmth.




This is looking at the top. On top of this I placed a stack of newspapers inside a woven feed bag. It could have been several towels inside the feed bag, etc. just to pad the top. Or use a pillow case if I hadn't had a woven feedbag.




You have to get the right kind of heat pad that doesn't have an auto shut-off. PM me if you want more info and I can let you know which ones will work.









I also have a premier plate that works the same and is really made for brooding. You can see it in the back corner there. THEY ARE WELL WORTH THE MONEY. I would never use a heat lamp for brooding again. This gives them a natural day/night cycle which is much healthier for them. And no worries about a heat lamp causing a fire.

https://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=135875

And...the small (not extra small) is only 22 watts.

 

[sunnie7]

@sunnie7 I agree that it's time to get them acclimated. My DAY OLD babies were outside in the barn with just a heat plate or a heating pad brooder to warm up under when the temps were in the 20's and 30's and they were fine. But since yours have been inside, you need to start making the transition. 5 weeks is pretty old and they will do fine if you allow them a warm place and a place to get away from the heat. At 5 weeks old they would love to be running around in what's left of the grass outside. It will likely be hard to train them to a heat plate or a heating pad brooder since they are so old. But with a heat pad brooder they would also lay on top of it and get some warmth. If they've had a light on 24/7 it will be an adjustment to go from that to dark nights so there will be a lot of loud peeping at first. But you could start out with a heat cave made with a heat pad raised up high enough for them to get under and stuff them under it in the dark so they stay in there. Here is an example of my heat pad brooder. It has adjustable legs so I can get it high enough for older chicks to go under. I used an old piece of closet shelf cut to the size of the heat pad. Used carriage bolts for legs. Leg height is adjustable with a nut under and a wing nut on top to easily adjust the height. Looking at the bottom - heat pad is strapped on with small bungies UNDER it so that they can push up against the pad for warmth. This is looking at the top. On top of this I placed a stack of newspapers inside a woven feed bag. It could have been several towels inside the feed bag, etc. just to pad the top. Or use a pillow case if I hadn't had a woven feedbag. You have to get the right kind of heat pad that doesn't have an auto shut-off. PM me if you want more info and I can let you know which ones will work. I also have a premier plate that works the same and is really made for brooding. You can see it in the back corner there. THEY ARE WELL WORTH THE MONEY. I would never use a heat lamp for brooding again. This gives them a natural day/night cycle which is much healthier for them. And no worries about a heat lamp causing a fire. https://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=135875 And...the small (not extra small) is only 22 watts.

I've had their heat lamp off for two days now. I'm going to put a nightlight out with them for the first couple nights. Is the best way to get them used to the coop to lock them in there for a week? I've read that a few places. This is what our weather is supposed to be the next week.

 

[Finnie]

Even if they are used to no heat lamp in your house, I don't think you can just put them straight out in the coop. What I usually do with chicks that were raised in the house is to move them to the garage and keep the garage door open all day while gradually reducing their heat. (Raise the lamp higher each day till they don't need it any more.) They will usually still need the heat at night for some days after they don't need it during the day. Obviously, you can't acclimate them to the garage door open all night.

But after they are used to no heat at night, then you can move them to the baby coop outside. I will usually move them back and forth to the coop during the day and the garage at night for a few days at first. Your photos show they still have a lot of pin feathers, so they are not quite ready for outdoor life just yet. But I have raised chicks (in my garage) that were hatched in November, and they were feathered enough to go out in January, and they made the transition just fine.

Also, love Leahs Mom's Mama Heat Pad setup! I made mine with a rack and carriage bolts, too, but her step by step photos are much more simpler than how I rigged mine. And if you switch to the MHP, you will be able to see by their behavior when they don't need heat any more. Eventually you can unplug it, and you can put the unplugged unit into the baby coop, too, for the transition out there. Their familiar place to snuggle.

I think your babies will need at least a week or so in the garage before they move out. Make sure there's no pins left around their necks.

 

[JanetMarie]

@sunnie7 I'll have to post pics on separate posts. I don't know why but my computer will only let my post one pic per post. Available at pet supply stores. I purchased this one on sale for $10.00 in the spring. Normal price is $40.00.