Starting first bantam coop

[rosemarythyme]

Also would like to know when i can put them outside in the coop, prefer not to put a heat source in there, it’s nyc so it’s 40s at night now and dropping to high 30s here and there

How old are they now? You want to go by feathering to determine if they're ready to go out in colder temperatures. I'd say as long as bodies are pretty well feathered in (about 70%) and as long as you've been weaning them off heat before they go out, they should be fine. For standard birds that'd be around 4-5 weeks or so, bantams might be a little bit longer?

 

[aart]

here in New York

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[Fdny11Bravo]

they were hatched Monday, 3 Easter egger bantams and 3 mottled Cochin bantams, I’m not really in a rush but in 2-3 weeks would like to put them in detached garage it’s insulated but still would probably need a heat source (this is what they are in now)

 

[aart]

Good to keep the room the brooder is in as chilly as possible, it will help them acclimate.
How big is that heat plate?
Hope it holds them until they feather out.

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

it’s 12x12 it can raise up though i also have the baseboard heat set at 74 in the small room in the basement that they are in and a portable heater (it’s safe) on 75 so your saying maybe cut the heat down in time I’m just worried if they get too cold

 

[aart]

it’s 12x12 it can raise up though i also have the baseboard heat set at 74 in the small room in the basement that they are in and a portable heater (it’s safe) on 75 so your saying maybe cut the heat down in time I’m just worried if they get too cold

After the first few days, once they are all eating and drinking and pooping well,
and know how to get under plate to warm up, best to keep the ambient temp fairly low.
Not sure if the 12x12 will hold them all, more about the foot print-tho they may sit on top too, but yes need to raise it as they grow too.

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

thank you for the tips and advice i appreciate it !

 

[NatJ]

Also would like to know when i can put them outside in the coop, prefer not to put a heat source in there, it’s nyc so it’s 40s at night now and dropping to high 30s here and there

It's a matter of getting them gradually used to lower temperatures, while having a place that is warm enough when they need it.

If you were willing to put the heat plate in the coop, you could probably move them out next week (depends a bit on the coop, but probably.)

i live in Staten Island, NY getting these chicks in the winter keeping them in the basement until they have some feathers to put them in the detached garage.

it’s 12x12 it can raise up though i also have the baseboard heat set at 74 in the small room in the basement that they are in and a portable heater (it’s safe) on 75 so your saying maybe cut the heat down in time I’m just worried if they get too cold

I would keep the heating plate in with them for several weeks or longer, and watch how they are doing.
When you see them spend plenty of time out from under the heating plate, running around happy, then lower the room temperature (as aart said, you can probably start adjusting it in just a few days.)

I would try to turn off the portable heater first, then turn down the baseboard heat, then move them to the garage (still with the heat plate.) Room temperature of 50 degrees will probably be fine by the time they're a week or so old, and lower yet in the weeks after that.

But keep the heating plate in until you find them sleeping away from it at night. It's the easiest way to be sure they have enough heat, without accidentally overheating them. The more time they spend playing where in the cool area, the faster they will grow their feathers. But because they can go under the heat plate any time they need to, they will not be stressed from too much cold.

For moving them from the garage to the coop: either wait until they do not use the heat plate, take it away, and wait a few more days to move them out. Or else move the heat plate to the coop with them. You don't want to remove the heat the same day you move them to a colder place.

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

that was extremely helpful, I’m saving that, thank you for the detailed response i really appreciate it

 

[aart]

Here's another idea for transitioning off the heat and into the coop:

Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.