Starting first bantam coop

[Fdny11Bravo]

that’s a great idea! I’m going to give that a try, i shut the portable heater off it’s about 71 in that room now instead of 75 they are for the most part only under the brooder except to eat and drink

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

Little update on the coop taking the tiles off the wall ( i cut them super rushed) and have to caulk all gaps from the exterior, i made a hinged flap for the main vent it’s about 10inches high by 3.5 feet wide is that adequate ventilation? It will not be facing the wind, just the coop door is which i used weather stripping to seal around the gaps in the door

 

[rosemarythyme]

i made a hinged flap for the main vent it’s about 10inches high by 3.5 feet wide is that adequate ventilation?

If possible you want vents across from that, or at least on one other side, to allow for cross air flow. If you're concerned about wind/rain getting in on other sides, use louvered vent covers to provide protection.

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

Really want to get these chicks out of the basement, so i read a bunch of stuff you think they’ll be okay with 40s at night and the heat plate brooder in here ?, the MHP heating pad comes November 12th but is this sufficient ? Also am going to insulate some of the bays with straw, i caulked all small gaps around the whole coop it’s air tight minus the 10 by 40inch ventilation window

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

Also im
Assuming i should close off this nest box till they are older just based on what I’ve been reading

 

[NatJ]

Really want to get these chicks out of the basement, so i read a bunch of stuff you think they’ll be okay with 40s at night and the heat plate brooder in here ?, the MHP heating pad comes November 12th but is this sufficient ? Also am going to insulate some of the bays with straw, i caulked all small gaps around the whole coop it’s air tight minus the 10 by 40inch ventilation window

I don't know for sure, but it's pretty easy to check.

Just put the chicks (and heat plate) out there in the morning, watch for a bit, and check frequently all day.

When evening comes, either bring them inside again, or check a few more times (after dark, just before bed, first thing in the morning.)

When you're checking: if they're cold and/or distressed, you can bring them back inside and try again the next day or in a few days. (Of course, if you move the chicks, move the heat plate too.)

If they are fine through one day and one night, they will probably continue to be fine. So you can just check them whenever you would normally be tending their food, water, & bedding.

After they've been fine outside for 24 hours, and the weather forecast does not show a major cold spell in the next 2 to 3 days, then take down the indoor brooder.

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

Thank you, what would you consider a major cold spell? It’s like 60s during the day here high 40s at night

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

well today 73, in the basement it’s about 68 degrees they are rarely under the heat plate if I’m in the room if i leave they run under the heat plate

 

[Fdny11Bravo]

well today 73, in the basement it’s about 68 degrees they are rarely under the heat plate if I’m in the room if i leave they run under the heat plate

 

[NatJ]

Thank you, what would you consider a major cold spell?

Night-time forecast more than 10 degrees colder than whatever night was already fine

Edit to add: that's for chicks. Adult chickens can handle a bigger swing than that.