Summertime chicks

[Cluck Berry]

I am going to try raising my first batch of 10 meat birds. If i get the chicks in July, do I need a heat lamp for them? If so, how long do they need the heat lamp before I put them out in the coop?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

To me this is a two part question. Do you have any other chickens in the coop? Are you concerned about integration?

The other part concerns temperature. What will be your most severe nighttime lows? How cold might it get? If you are brooding them in your house or some other climate controlled area then that low is important as to when to stop heat until they go outside. The outside lows are important as to when they can go outside.

Many people set up the brooder in the coop. If you can keep one area warm enough in the coldest of conditions and the brooder is big enough that they can get away from that heat when the weather warms up you don't have to ever have them in your house. Some people use the entire coop as a brooder if there are no adults. If you brood them in the coop they need protection from rain, wind, and predators.

 

[Cluck Berry]

Hi, welcome to the forum! Glad you joined!

To me this is a two part question. Do you have any other chickens in the coop? Are you concerned about integration?

The other part concerns temperature. What will be your most severe nighttime lows? How cold might it get? If you are brooding them in your house or some other climate controlled area then that low is important as to when to stop heat until they go outside. The outside lows are important as to when they can go outside.

Many people set up the brooder in the coop. If you can keep one area warm enough in the coldest of conditions and the brooder is big enough that they can get away from that heat when the weather warms up you don't have to ever have them in your house. Some people use the entire coop as a brooder if there are no adults. If you brood them in the coop they need protection from rain, wind, and predators.

There are no chickens and no coop as of yet. I am learning everything I can before I take the plunge. Nightime temps in July in Michigan average high 50's to mid sixties. I will plan on brooding in the coop.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Planning and learning before you take the plunge! That is sometimes a strange concept on here but one I fully endorse.

This takes all of the guesswork out of your timing. Set up one spot that is always warm enough in your coldest temperatures. Your coop will be big enough so they can find a cool spot if the temperature gets high. Then let them manage the temperatures. You don't have to.