Reintroducing In Winter

rebeccasl

Chirping
Feb 8, 2021
11
33
79
I've had two very sick hens in my home for the past month or so, but they are now healthy and ready to be reintroduced to the flock. My biggest concern is that we're in Chicago and the temperature outside is between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (for now) while it's 70 degrees F inside. How do I reintroduce the hens safely back out in the cold before it gets even colder?
 
20 to 40 should be fine.... for healthy chickens going from 70 to 40 should be OK..... even 70 to 20 should be manageable. But... your two have been sick


I would put them outside and see how they act. If they stay properly mobile in the cold, then they will be fine. If they huddle in a corner and have no interest in moving about, then they are too cold.

The biggest issue you might have is just pecking order integration.

Lots of space, extra waterers and feeders, will all help.

If they go into a corner and do not want to move (from cold, not because they are scared of the flock) you might want to add an animal grade heating pad with an always on feature.

One year I had a hen go a bit off and I put in an animal grade heating pad for her to have a bit more heat. It worked well.
 
I’m kind of dealing with this right now. I currently have a Cream Legbar recovering from crop issues in my garage, but she was originally in my guest bathroom at 70F. It gets down to 40F at my garage at night versus 25F outside. I have 2 of my chick heat plates in there on their sides with the legs removed. I also have a super chill Bielefelder that I’ve been putting in with her at night, so she’s snuggling between the heat plates and her floofy flockmate. You could also use a sweater heater if you don’t have the chick brooder plate. I am undecided yet if I’ll use the heat plate if she recovers when she goes outside. Depends on how much colder it’s gotten when she hopefully recovers well enough.
 

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