Introducing chicks in winter

[thanai]

Hi everyone,

I have some chicks (polish and silkies) that will be old enough to go outside in a couple weeks. However, it's getting colder and colder as we progress into the dreaded winter, so I'm wondering how I can put them in the coop and run but keep them warm? I can't really run heat out to the coop, it's too far. They won't be integrating into a previous flock, this will be a coop that they have to themselves. I need to take them out soon because they'll be too big to keep inside in a couple weeks. Any ideas appreciated!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That depends on how old they will be and how many there are. The more there are, the better able they can keep each other warm.
What part of Ontario?

 

[thanai]

That depends on how old they will be and how many there are. The more there are, the better able they can keep each other warm.
What part of Ontario?

I'm in Peterborough county. Thanks for replying! I have 6 chicks that I'll be moving outside. Is that enough to keep each other warm?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

But how old will they be?
For Canada, your climate is relatively mild isn't it?
I have chicks of all ages outside and it was 28F (-2+C) here this morning and I'm way down in Missouri.

 

[thanai]

But how old will they be?
For Canada, your climate is relatively mild isn't it?
I have chicks of all ages outside and it was 28F (-2+C) here this morning and I'm way down in Missouri.

I'm not sure of their age, but they're probably almost 6 weeks old. They seem to be fully feathered out, so that's a good sign.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Well if you are currently giving them a heat source, I would remove it now and if possible transition them to a cooler place. If given a few days of acclimation they should be fine without heat outside.

 

[Trisseh]

I put my 5 week old chicks out at the beginning of May this year; temps were high single digits (8, 9 C) during the day, close to freezing still at night. They weren’t fully feathered but were barely using their heat source (heating pad) anymore, so I put them out with one of those pet bed warmers, that don’t get very warm but a little something if they wanted it. I don’t think they used it at all. Lol. There were 5 of them at the time. (I’m in NW Ontario, so not really your neck of the woods but the same province, anyways. Haha). The 3 week old half feathered chicks went out mid June with the same little pet bed warmer, didn’t use it at all. Have to let the chicks show you if they’re cold or not and act accordingly, and give them the option if they want to use it.

 

[thanai]

Well if you are currently giving them a heat source, I would remove it now and if possible transition them to a cooler place. If given a few days of acclimation they should be fine without heat outside.

Sounds good. Thanks for your input!

 

[Alaskan]

Eh.... I moved 10 chicks to my coop, a week or so back.....

They still have heat, and they look cold (spend a decent amount of time in the heated spot).... so I clearly can't remove the heat yet.

I think they are 6 weeks now, and my temps have been in the 20sF, down to the 10sF at night.

Mine are in a brooder under a poop shelf, so they can see the rest of the flock.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Teens is probably cold for 6 week olds. Well fed and watered given another week of acclimation, they'll probably be fine.
@Alaskan
What is the coldest it has ever gotten in your coop/s?
Do you ever provide any heat source for adults?