Late season hatching...

[Ted Brown]

I am considering incubating a group of coloured egg layers starting late October. Our winter usually starts in November, December can be the coldest period with temperatures going as low as -20Cs for short periods. My brooder can be in my basement or in the garage, either would be heated for the first 4 weeks.

My sister will visit shortly and has access to fertilized eggs from a known good source. She is concerned that the chicks will have a hard time once I integrate with the main flock late December.

Any/all thoughts are appreciated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would be more concerned with getting them hardened off to the colder temperatures while they are still feathering out. You would need to provide extra heat. Do you have room in your coop to do so without heating the coop up or with it causing issues with fire dangers?

 

[Ted Brown]

I heat the brooder for the 1st 4 weeks and have decided to keep it in the basement rather than garage.

Once they are fully feathered I believe they should be able to manage the winter cold?

 

[bigz1983]

We just had a hen hatch out chicks she is outside with them in unheated coop.
We are from Michigan it gets cold here.

 

[Ted Brown]

...
We are from Michigan it gets cold here.

I am on the Ontario Quebec border so north of you; gets cold here as well often December can be one of our coldest months.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I heat the brooder for the 1st 4 weeks and have decided to keep it in the basement rather than garage.

Once they are fully feathered I believe they should be able to manage the winter cold?

Most can acclimate slowly if they are exposed to colder temperatures. Since they will go from a heated brooder to nothing you may or may not have troubles. Personally I would want to harden them off similar to how plants are hardened off. Feathers thicken up on birds as temperatures fall. It's generally a long slow process. Sudden cold spells can cause hypothermia in those not prepared for it. You might just have to see how it goes and have a back up plan.

 

[aart]

Not a good idea, IMO.

 

[Ted Brown]

@aart I assume you are saying not a good idea to do a late hatch?

Is there a process whereby I could stage their introduction to the coop (eg 4 weeks in the basement with heat, some weeks in the garage with less heat)?

 

[aart]

@aart I assume you are saying not a good idea to do a late hatch?

Correct.

Is there a process whereby I could stage their introduction to the coop (eg 4 weeks in the basement with heat, some weeks in the garage with less heat)?

I suppose you could figure it out, but it would be rather laborious.
Integration would be a PITA.

 

[Ted Brown]

Thank you @aart, I value your opinions.