Moving to coop

[Groffie]

Have 3 chicks, are just about 4 weeks old. They are feathering nicely, eating well, very active and getting bigger. Would it be ok to move them to the coop Memorial Day weekend, or is it to early?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Rather depends on your weather, whether you're putting them out with the lamp or without it, and how well you're adjusting them to cold in the meantime.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Where do you live?

 

[Groffie]

Being new to raising chickens, I want to what best. They have been in our garage since we got them. Raised the heat leap (about 4' above them just over a week ago). We live in eastern PA, hopefully weather will be warmer in the next to weeks. Lots of rain lately. Would not be placing the heat lamp in the coop.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I think you should wait a few more weeks just to play it safe

 

[Groffie]

Thanks, appreciate the feedback.

 

[blackdog043]

They will be 5 + weeks old by then, they should be fine. I would start to turn the lamp off for a few hours during the day now. After a few days, turn it off all day, then try having it off at night and see how the react. They probably won't like the dark, but they should settle down after a little bit. This will get them used to no heat and dark a few days before you move them to the coop. It may be colder in your coop than your garage, but they will survive.

I had 4.5 week old chicks in my coop without heat and the low temps were in the upper 30's. This was the first night after I took their coop brooder down. They went right up on their roost.

 

[aart]

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.

Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! @Groffie
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[littlebarngirl]

I too, have to take the same step with my four teenage chicks that are currently living in our garage. It's been warming up over here in TX, so I'm not so worried about the temperature, but I'm hoping the big girls will welcome the new chicks to the coop. So far I've been letting them visit each other outback but they haven't been in close quarters all together yet. They sure grow up fast!