Moving chicks to garage while waiting on coop?

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

Hi All,

I am new to this, but we've decided it's time to move our chicks out of the house (between the smell, the dust and the lack of space it's beyond time).

My question is will it be ok for them to be in the garage for a week or so while we get the coop built? We have it framed, but not sided yet. We don't want to take chances with predators and leave the pen we have them in fully outside (plus it's still chilly at night). The garage is our best option, but it doesn't get a lot of light in the day time. We'd have 12 chicks in there- their pen is plenty big enough and we could still heat a corner of it with a light. I'm just concerned with them getting enough daylight, or is artificial ok?

Thank you!!

 

[mike1970]

well the big egg producers use artificial light think they will be ok for a couple of days

 

[crazychickenlady1997]

I keep mine in the garage with the only light source being the heat lamp. They seem to be fine

 

[merrymutts]

I think you'll be OK...maybe a small light if cold enough

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

Thanks all! New chicken mom here and I’m pretty sure I’m spoiling them... I’m just so concerned about the cold before they fully feather

 

[blackdog043]

A light bulb is fine. How old are your chicks? Moving them to the garage(cooler location) will also help ween them off of heat, if they are still using heat.

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

A light bulb is fine. How old are your chicks? Moving them to the garage(cooler location) will also help ween them off of heat, if they are still using heat.

3 week silkies and 4 week barred rocks and what we think are orpingtons. The temp is about 60 in there now with a light.

 

[lazy gardener]

How old are your chicks? What are the night time temps in your garage? By 3 weeks of age, your chicks can be off heat altogether if they are in your house. My chicks wean themselves off heat by the time they are 4 - 5 weeks old. They are brooded in an outdoor coop with a MHP.

 

[BackItUp.PlayItSlow]

How old are your chicks? What are the night time temps in your garage? By 3 weeks of age, your chicks can be off heat altogether if they are in your house. My chicks wean themselves off heat by the time they are 4 - 5 weeks old. They are brooded in an outdoor coop with a MHP.

The youngest are 3 week silkies. Last night the temp in the garage was around 45-50 while it was in the 30s outside. I have a heat lamp for them as we’re supposed to get into the low 30s this weekend again during the day

 

[lazy gardener]

Only a couple more weeks then, and they should be ready to wean. I've never raised silkies, but I'm guessing they are a bit more fragile than regular feathered birds. I bet you're glad to have your house back!