Pullet 8 1/2 weeks old

[Organic Gal]

Hi
My pullets are 8 1/2 weeks old today(Wyandottes, Orpingtons, Barred rock and Cucoo Maran) and are currently still inside. The temperature at night has been too cold to take them out and leave them(between 32F to 40F). They have been used to no lower than 60 F. What night time temperature would be ok to leave them out in the coop? I have not had them outside at all as it is too difficult to get them back in.

 

[pozees2]

They are fully feathered and more than ready to manage temps you describe. They have nice warm down, and one another to snuggle with if they get cold.

 

[Mrs. K]

I put my two week old chicks outside in the run yesterday into the coop/run. It was a glorious 60 degrees out. I herded them into the coop with a stick and a bit of food right at the door, and a little more further in just before evening. They had deep bedding to huddle down in and I have 16, which makes for a bit more heat.

They are fine this morning, getting more exercise, more fresh air. I did have them in the garage, with two heat lamps a great deal of distance apart, so that they had cool/cold spots with their feed and water. And a place to warm up in.

Get them outside, at that age, they are more than feathered enough to take 30 -60 degree change no problem. They do need wind protection, shade and sun options at their descretion. If they are too hard to catch, they are warm enough.

I did leave the brooder set up. If in the next 10 days, we would get temperatures getting below 10 above, I might bring them back. I have no electricity at the coop/run. But I might not. Yours are going to do just fine at the temperatures you are stating.

Mrs K

 

[Organic Gal]

I put my two week old chicks outside in the run yesterday into the coop/run. It was a glorious 60 degrees out. I herded them into the coop with a stick and a bit of food right at the door, and a little more further in just before evening. They had deep bedding to huddle down in and I have 16, which makes for a bit more heat.

They are fine this morning, getting more exercise, more fresh air. I did have them in the garage, with two heat lamps a great deal of distance apart, so that they had cool/cold spots with their feed and water. And a place to warm up in.

Get them outside, at that age, they are more than feathered enough to take 30 -60 degree change no problem. They do need wind protection, shade and sun options at their descretion. If they are too hard to catch, they are warm enough.

I did leave the brooder set up. If in the next 10 days, we would get temperatures getting below 10 above, I might bring them back. I have no electricity at the coop/run. But I might not. Yours are going to do just fine at the temperatures you are stating.

Mrs K

Ok I guess I am convinced they will be ok. They have sun and shade areas. I don't expect there will be anymore below freezing temps but who knows with Maryland weather. The next 4 days its expected to be 56-65 high and the low 34-54. I thought maybe in the Spring next year I want to try them in the garage since they make SO much dust in the house. Would two brooder plates work in the garage one on each side?

 

[Mrs. K]

Easily, my garage in SD was dang chilly, probably 30-40 degrees at night. Mine did just fine, with a cool spot for activity, and a warm spot to sleep in, and take the chill off.

My hat is off to you, I could never had them in the house for 8 weeks, the mess in the garage is tough. This is the first time in years, I raised them, as I usually get a broody hen. If you get one, that is the way to go!

However, I am finding, they are much tougher than they appear. Once in a while, you loose one in the first couple of days, fail to thrive. But they are much healthier the sooner you get them outside.

I do suggest you check what your shade possibilities are about 4:00. That will soon tend to be the hottest part of the day. Chickens actually have more problem with heat than cold.

Mrs K

 

[Organic Gal]

Easily, my garage in SD was dang chilly, probably 30-40 degrees at night. Mine did just fine, with a cool spot for activity, and a warm spot to sleep in, and take the chill off.

My hat is off to you, I could never had them in the house for 8 weeks, the mess in the garage is tough. This is the first time in years, I raised them, as I usually get a broody hen. If you get one, that is the way to go!

However, I am finding, they are much tougher than they appear. Once in a while, you loose one in the first couple of days, fail to thrive. But they are much healthier the sooner you get them outside.

I do suggest you check what your shade possibilities are about 4:00. That will soon tend to be the hottest part of the day. Chickens actually have more problem with heat than cold.

Mrs K

Believe me I will never have chicks in the house again up to 8 weeks. There was so much dust in some places in the room where I couldn't get to until I moved the brooder, was a 1/2 inch thick. The area where they are gets morning sun up to about 1 or 2, then its shady. There have been out a few days now and are doing great if only it would stop raining so much. The ground is mud. I have clay soil. They have a lot of grass to pick at right now. They finally went into the coop by themselves tonight but it wasn't until 7:45pm. That seems alittle late to me.