New member from Northern Colorado

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Newflockdad said:
Hi All,
New member from Loveland, CO area. Very new to raising chickens 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 🤞🤞
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Newflockdad said:
Thanks everyone! DobieLover, agreed and thanks for the tip. Overnight lows are still in the single digits some days. Been watching the forecast. Priority now is the coop and outside as soon as is safe. is it okay to continue the heat lamp in the coop when moved outside?
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Hello Roger and welcome from your older retired nextdoor neighbor to the east in SW Neb. Just 90 miles from Yuma. I grew up in Denver so I'm very familiar with Loveland weather. It's a lovely lake and view! I miss those gorgeous mountain views.:hmm I got my flock of 5 @ 2 1/2 years ago. I have learned tons from this forum check out all the articles up above in brown bar 4th icon from left, you'll get lost there for hours there's a section on chicks and new chicken owners.

I agree with Dobie soon the dust and weather will make you want those babies in the coop to brood. They need lamp till they're feathered out fully ( look at head and neck areas). That will be somewhere around 6 weeks old give or take. They need lamp and heat at less intervals each week till then.

Don't be in a hurry to get them outside( like I was) they're a buggar to coax back in at night,:wee and those nighttime temps in Colo plus spring snows will be way too cold.

They need to get used to coop being a "safe place " I kept mine in for 2 more weeks once they were feathered. This sounds silly but trust me they are really dumb about going back to coop at dusk at first so keep them somewhat confined do you can shoo them to their roosts. The grow SO FAST at the age. !

It's a great idea to train them with some treats out of your hand so they know you as the non-scary human. Try and reach in at their level so your not swooping down from above like a predator. Good treats are their own crumbles wettened with warm water , and with some patience they will eat small bits of scrambled eggs out of your hand. This teaches them that you mean no harm which is good when they need to be inspected for any issues. :plbb

I have electricity to my coop so I even used a "nightlight" on a timer at dusk to coax them into their dark coop. ( remember saying you're chicken to childhood friends! ) lol

You can also give them "chick style " grit in a small dish from here till they're grown then I give mine regular size grit.

I've learned most of these things the hard way believe me , you'll do fine, chickens are fun little balls of goofy individual personalities. I wish you all the best remember we're all here to help.
Helen the happyhen lover
 
Glad to meet you, Roger, and welcome to BYC. Best wishes with your adorable chicks.

Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. All articles are short, and have illustrations, and reviews, which are often worth looking at for the comments.

1. Intro to chicken keeping

2. Common mistakes & how to fix them

3. Ventilation (important to chicken health), with helpful links to coop designs organized by climate (because what is just right for my New England hens won't work for my brother's Arizona chickens)

3(a). Farmers Almanac on Building Coops (Includes size requirements!)

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Winter chicken care

To look for articles on your own:

A. Use the SEARCH button, but use the Advanced Search choice, and select ARTICLES at the top of the box. Just enter your keyword(s) and scroll through your results!

B. I find it helpful to notice the rating and reviews. All articles are by BYC members, and all the reviews/ratings are as well. The ratings help a newbie like me sort the most useful and reliable articles.

C. You can bookmark the articles or posts you think you want to refer to again using that bookmark icon at the top of articles or posts. You can find them again by clicking on your own avatar and looking at the list of bookmarks you have built up!

Notes about where to put a coop:

1. As far as you can, put a coop and run on high ground, that drains well, so you won't have so much muddy coop problems. Chickens need to be dry, dry, dry.

2. As far as you can, put a coop with the ventilation lined up with your prevailing breezes, and away from the direction of your storms. If you are not sure of these (who is these days?), check with your local National Weather Service website.

3. As far as you can, arrange for some sort of shade over your coop and run. Preferably deciduous so the girls will enjoy winter sun, but summer shade.
 
You are all so awesome with the advice, wishes, and greetings. Thank you all! Boy do I have some reading to do. I’ve been watching tons of videos and some articles, I need to get busy.
Happy hen lover and Boppo, I appreciate so much the links and tips you gave. Thank you a bunch.
Roger
 

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