New Jersey

[chickenlindz]

My girls are ok. They have a heat lamp still because I just put them out a couple of weeks ago (I had just started to wean them off the heat when the cold weather started). Once we have a warm up they'll lose the lamp and then start to go outside into their new run (they're 8 and 10 week old chickies still).

 

[chickengirl1193]

my girls are doing great! I have been letting them decide if they wanna be in or out and they are mostly foraging in the sun and it's 7 F here in sussex county!

 

[LeenaB]

My girls are in their coop today along with Mr. Roo. No one wanted out, it's very windy in addition to being cold. No heat for them, although we do have a heated water bowl so their water doesn't freeze.

My chicks are in the basement still- 4 weeks and 1 week old. The 4 week olds aren't quite ready to go out yet. I don't know what I was thinking turning on my incubator in the winter. It's currently on a break from chickens eggs with quail in it. And chicken won't go in again until at the earliest February or March.

 

[chickengirl1193]

I've got 8 1 week old chicks in my hall way... I'm trying to figure out when to let them outside, I'll heat their coop until they are ready

 

[chickenlindz]

I put mine out at 5 weeks with heat but they prob could have gone sooner. I'd say it all depends on the weather outside when you put them out. If there isn't going to be a brutal stretch of cold it'd prob be ok to do it sooner.

 

[mame1616]

Quote:
Nice! Close enough to get to the beach, but far enough away so the bennies won't drive you crazy!

 

[LeenaB]

Since I don't heat my coop at what age should I put them out? Any thoughts? I don't want to loose them to the cold.

 

[chickenlindz]

Get them acclimated to the cold while they are inside if possible... The "rule" is when they are fully feathered. If the weather is mild for winter (30+) I'd say anything around 7 weeks is ok without supplemental heat.

The more you have the better as they keep each other warm too. Use deep litter and straw for extra warmth if you are worried.

I was so nervous the first night mine were out and the crazy birds didn't even sleep under the lamp they had access to.

 

[NJchixs]

Glad everyone is doing good. My guys won't even go out. They want nothing to do with the cold. Although they spent all day yesterday roaming the yard.

 

[Sparkway]

My chicken laid their first ever 3 eggs yesterday!!! Coldest day in ages!! They also have been out in the run all day . They love the cold!!