New member never had chickens before (northern Ontario)

[mojoejoe]

I am getting the RTL birds from a hatchery. They told me the birds have been indoors at 70 F thier whole lives. Do you think that will make a difference?

 

[TwoCrows]

You will need to slowly acclimate these birds to the cold. I would start them at 60 or 65 degrees and lower the heat by 5 degrees every 5 days or so til you get them down to freezing in about 6 weeks. By then they should be able to handle colder temps and yours should be warmer by then as well.

 

[mojoejoe]

My feed supplier is telling me it is recommended to start chicks on medicated feed for the first four weeks. Any thoughts or opinions? I was thinking of unmedicated
Thanks

 

[Kelsie2290]

Here is a nice member page on coccidia. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/coccidiosis-and-medicated-feed I personally usually don't feed a medicated feed anymore but do the clump of dirt in the brooder thing, keep a close eye on them and treat with Corid etc if they have an outbreak. I do have them vaccinated if I get chicks from a hatchery that will.