Need help adjusting a house chicken to the outside

[PioneerChicks]

To start off, I don't keep house chickens. I just got a rooster (like, an hour ago) from a lady who has kept him in her house his whole life. He is five months old and super sweet!

So he is used to being inside and I need to adjust him to outside. Tonight is the first night to go below freezing in my area.

I am keeping him in a kennel in the garage right now. I was thinking I could keep him in there at night and let him out during the day for a few days? I have never done this kind of thing before. I want to get him integrated with the rest of my flock as soon as possible, but I will use the see-but-don't-touch method.

I have access to a heat lamp but really don't want to use one all winter because I don't believe it is good for my chickens.

Please help!

 

[Jennc-123]

That's tough! I got a pair of house goats from someone and it took them a while to realize they were goats, stood on the porch and tried to come in the house . I laugh now, but they were very awkward for a while. I hope your rooster transition goes well, my ex-housgoats are now fantastic!

 

[aart]

I am keeping him in a kennel in the garage right now. I was thinking I could keep him in there at night and let him out during the day for a few days?

Sounds like a good plan.
What's the temp in the garage?
I'd avoid using a heat lamp if at all possible.
Observe and Adjust.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Sounds like a good plan.
What's the temp in the garage?
I'd avoid using a heat lamp if at all possible.
Observe and Adjust.

I don't have a thermometer in the garage, but I would guess it gets around 40-45 at night. However, I am terrible at guessing temps. Thank you for the advice!

 

[Ridgerunner]

He is five months old. He has been fully feathered for months. He has not needed a heat lamp for months. I've had 5-1/2 week old chicks go through nights below freezing with no supplemental heat. He needs to be out of a cold breeze but he has been able to handle those temperatures for months, even without acclimation.

Integration is another issue but those temperatures are not.

 

[PioneerChicks]

He is five months old. He has been fully feathered for months. He has not needed a heat lamp for months. I've had 5-1/2 week old chicks go through nights below freezing with no supplemental heat. He needs to be out of a cold breeze but he has been able to handle those temperatures for months, even without acclimation.

Integration is another issue but those temperatures are not.

Are you sure? He has been pampered inside a house with warm temps his whole life. Can I just place him outside all at once when it freezes at night or is that cruel?

 

[aart]

I don't have a thermometer in the garage

You don't have one you can stick out there?
(I guess I'm a measurerer, have numerous therms and tapes )
I'd keep him in the garage for a few nights to ease your own mind.
Daytime in a crate where the girls can check him out.
Then let him out and see what happens.

 

[PioneerChicks]

You don't have one you can stick out there?
(I guess I'm a measurerer, have numerous therms and tapes )
I'd keep him in the garage for a few nights to ease your own mind.
Daytime in a crate where the girls can check him out.
Then let him out and see what happens.

I don't have a spare thermometer, only one glued to the window. I wish I had more

Currently I have him in a coop, but the door to the run is shut. From the run he can see my other chickens. But he doesn't seem like the brightest rooster, and is still learning what waterer to use. I'm not sure if he could figure out the ramp. Should I put a pullet in with him right now to teach him what to do?

He was raised with three other roosters and has never been around hens. I don't think he knows what to do. I am wondering if I should keep my cock for a while longer in hopes that the new roo will watch and learn.

 

[aart]

I am wondering if I should keep my cock for a while longer in hopes that the new roo will watch and learn.

Oh! Maybe I missed that you already had another male.
They will probably fight.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Oh! Maybe I missed that you already had another male.
They will probably fight.

I didn't add it in the first post because I am planning on getting rid of him ASAP, probably tomorrow or the day after.