Moving chicks to the coop

[Lacy Duckwing]

At your chick's age, they're way too young to be in that type of cold. If you are able to keep them in your basement until March, that would be the easiest, simplest, and safest thing to do. If not, here's what you can do:

As they feather out, lower their temperature 5°F each week until they're at the outside temperature's temps. (10°F if you're in an extreme hurry.) You'll want them fully feathered before they go out. Because the deep litter won't be there until they're out there, everytime you clean their current space out, but their litter in the coop. Stir it up every couple of days and watch the inside temps of the litter itself.

I strongly suggest to keep them inside until March if you are able to. Another idea though, is to put a heat lamp in the coop with them if you need them out now. If putting a heat lamp in the coop, be sure it's strongly secured! Coop fires happen every year due to heat lamps, so be sure it's strongly secured! Then go from there by rising the heat lamp a little higher each week. That's so your going 5°F down each week until they're at the outside temperatures.

 

[KenK67]

Can you put the whole brooder in the coop?

I could still having nothing in it. Additionally I can install the roost in case they want to experiment. My question would be if I did that, would I put in bedding and have the automatic door operational?

 

[KenK67]

The point is to get them more space and acclimated to the outdoor temps but still have the heat they need.
...but I don't know just what that brooder looks like in whole.
Does it have a door you could open so they can got in and out of the heated space?
Can the heat be raised so they fit after 3-4 weeks?

I'll have a look at the possibility. The top consist of 2 removable lids

 

[KenK67]

Your

Before you use a brooder plate out there check with the manufacturer on the minimum temperatures they say to use it in. If it is not in the literature maybe an e-mail or phone call. Some recommend a minimum temperature of 50 F. I'm sure they will be extremely cautious but I'm not comfortable recommending a heating plate without that information. A properly set up heating pad can work too. And I totally agree, if you use a heat lamp do not depend on that clamp. Hold it in place with wire or chain so it cannot fall. Not string or plastic that can burn or melt but wire or chain.

I put chicks straight out of the incubator into my 3' x 6' brooder in the coop even when it is below freezing outside. I use a heat lamp and wrap the brooder pretty well in plastic, though I have good ventilation straight above. I keep one end plenty warm but occasionally find ice in the far end of the brooder.

To me the big challenge in brooding outdoors instead of in a climate controlled area are the temperature swings. I've seen it go from below freezing to in the 70's F in a day or the other way. Your brooder has to be able to handle those types of temperature swings. They need one spot warm enough in the coldest temperatures and a spot cool enough in the warmest temperatures. In a 10' x 10' coop you have the room to manage that with a heat plate, heating pad, or heat lamp. You might be surprised at how much time they spend in the cooler sections once they get a little older. That way they acclimate themselves to colder temperatures.

You have 17 and probably need heat for another two to three weeks. They grow fast. Especially if they are full-sized fowl chicks and not all bantams can your heat plate handle that. A lady that has used both a heating pad and a heat lamp said the heat lamp worked better for larger numbers.

Do not open the pop door until you are convinced they can handle those temperatures without any help. That should be around six weeks of age but with that much room later will not hurt. You may still have to teach them to go to bed in the coop at night. By housing them in the coop they should do that on their own but they don't always do what we think they should.

Your suggestions with supporting guidance is awesome! So very appreciative of the time you spent explaining this too me!!