New member from Northern Colorado

[triciayoung]

Welcome. I followed the rule of 95 degrees first week 90 degrees second week and reduce by 5 degrees each week until they are feathered. I kept mine in until they were 9 weeks old.

 

[Brittbee]

Hello

Hi All,
New member from Loveland, CO area. Very new to raising chickens and joined to get the best information I could from the best source out there. We picked up 4 chics last weekend from the local farm store and are off and running. Brooding under a heat lamp and keeping them with us in the living room for now. Lots of natural light where they are staying. Coop will be finished next week and I’m still waiting on warmer Weather to start leaving them outside. I know some of you start with the new chics outside but is there a rule of thumb of too soon, too cold, etc.. that I should look out for?
Thank you all in advance and
Roger
oh yeah, we bought Buff Orpington chics.

Hello, and welcome! This is a great place to gain knowledge on all things poultry, so definetely delve into the forums. Saved my flock a few times!

As a fellow Coloradan here (Evergreen) I understand I can relate othbeing unsure about temps. Chicks are pretty tough, but it's never a bad thing to be cautious. I personally put my chicks out when night Temps are consistently above freezing so there isn't a battle with waterers freezing (I've had heated waterers fail this winter). I also use supplemental heat at night in my coop so my flock is a little more comfortable. I feel it helps with the winter up here in the higher elevations, but this is what i do. I am still new, only two years in, but I can say I've learned a lot just reading through the different threads.

 

[Newflockdad]

Okay so been too long. Finally some progress on the coop and the HOA meeting went in our favor. Yeah!!!
I've been letting the chicks out during the day when it's warmer and just stay out with them. Here are some pictures of the coop. All I'm missing are some roosting posts and finish the skirting. Then we can paint it and be all set.

 

[Newflockdad]

This one shows the change to the nesting box. Still need to put more wood on top to help with any rain or snow.

 

[TwoCrows]

Okay so been too long. Finally some progress on the coop and the HOA meeting went in our favor. Yeah!!!
I've been letting the chicks out during the day when it's warmer and just stay out with them. Here are some pictures of the coop. All I'm missing are some roosting posts and finish the skirting. Then we can paint it and be all set.

This one shows the change to the nesting box. Still need to put more wood on top to help with any rain or snow.

Nice coop!

 

[Newflockdad]

Thank you Two Crows. No plans, just threw some wood together.

 

[SamCO]

Nice coop! I’m in Loveland Colorado as well. Chickens are sooo fun! I started with 8 last year and now have 13 hens/pullets, and 5 more chicks. Plus a gal sitting on 5 eggs! Watch out. Chickens are addicting.

 

[Newflockdad]

That’s what I‘m afraid of. HOA said yes but max is 6 birds total so maybe I’ll be okay with the new addiction. You’re so right, they are very addicting. Thanks for the compliment on the coop.