Raising baby chicks in the winter?

[donsgirl67]

I have chicks coming around 11/23 and 12/1 and I'm in Southeast Missouri. I was concerned too. Everything I've read says once fully feathered they should be fine and that heat sources n the coop are dangerous. .

 

[jkraze]

I have chicks coming around 11/23 and 12/1 and I'm in Southeast Missouri. I was concerned too. Everything I've read says once fully feathered they should be fine and that heat sources n the coop are dangerous.

.

I only use the heat lamp when the temps get into the single digits, and keep it well out of the way of anything flammable.

 

[donsgirl67]

I only use the heat lamp when the temps get into the single digits, and keep it well out of the way of anything flammable.

Ok. I'm thinking it will be late Jan or early Feb before they go out into the coop so hopefully I won't need it but I'll make it available just in case.

 

[chicken8]

Doesn't it get a bit too cold to be raising chickens in AK (in the winter) without a heat source?

In some parts, yes.

 

[Dex Holla]

Wow. This is a timely thread. I planned on getting chicks in March mainly because I have a coop to build. Well, I just bought a used coop. SO all I need now are the chicks!

Since I am in education, I have three weeks to be at home over Christmas and that would be a GREAT time to hang out with the cuties. We could enjoy, hold etc.

I have been reading about the stages of growth but what I need to know is the practical info about housing--as in where in my house do I want them.... 1st four week, cute and in the living room? the next four weeks feathers and dust? Not sure when they would be old enough to be in the garage or in their new home AND at what point I will want them out of the house. (about how many weeks is that?)

THANKS! (I have never had chickens. I am in a city that allows chickens but I will be the first in my area/neighborhood. We are looking for pets with benefits.) I live in Northern Indiana. The coop is cute and mobile and could even be in the garage for the winter or close enough to the house to have electric.

Dex

 

[jkraze]

I would not keep them in the house. Your garage should be fine, with an infrared heat lamp. You'll want to keep them in a brooder box for several weeks at first.

 

[france4862]

I have 28 chicks and brooder is in the garage I've been raising heat lamps they are know 2 and 3 weeks. Wisconsin is cold should i use heat lamps or maybe a light bulb would be sufficient?

 

[jkraze]

The problem with using a regular light bulb as opposed to an infrared heat lamp is that you'll mess up their sleep cycle. Plus, the light bulb won't offer as much heat. Always have a bulb with a guard on it, and keep it as far away from flammables as possible! Once they've feathered in enough, you can probably not worry about using the heat lamp (except on the coldest days).

 

[SunnySkies]

EcoGlow. I raised chicks in my garage last winter with one. By the time it got really cold, they had plenty of feathers and did fine. I could have kicked them out, but I didn't have a coop ready for them. So they lived in the garage most of the winter.

The EcoGlow is much safer, has virtually no risk of fire and works like a mother hen. Mine have all done exceedingly well with it, even in an unheated garage.

I have two chicks now in the garage that I'll be kicking out to a coop this weekend, no heat. They could have gone a week or so ago. I got busy. Oh well.

 

[france4862]

I guess I better hurry up and wall of my coop. And I agree I will use 1 heat lamp.I'll see what I can rig up tomorrow to give them more space.