What temps for chicks to permanently move to coup ?

[JewelsJj]

We are new to raising chicks. We got 12 babies who are 9-10 weeks old now. Most are fully feathered. We have a couple who look patchy around their chests with the downy. We live in Northern Michigan and want to move them to the coop (we have no older birds to integrate ). Our coop is secure but the temps are going down in the 30’s and the coop holds the outside temps. Our coop size 8x12. When can they handle these colder temps?

 

[DotToDot]

What breeds are they? Some are more cold hardy than others.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

At this age they are fully feathered and can go out to the coop, they will adapt quickly. I would take them out early in the morning so they can learn where everything is in the coop. Chances are they will all pile into a nest box to keep warm at first. When overnight temps get warmer, you can block off the nest boxes and place the birds on the roost bar at sleeping time. Eventually they will learn to roost on their own.

Enjoy your babies and welcome to our community!

 

[JewelsJj]

What breeds are they? Some are more cold hardy than others.

We have 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Black Jersey Giants and 6 Gold Laced Wyandottes. The Wyandottes are the ones who have the patchy downy on their chests.

 

[Boppo]

Glad to meet you, and welcome to BackYard Chickens. You have gotten some excellent advice there from Two Crows. Best wishes with your new flock!

Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. All articles are short, have illustrations, and reviews, which are often worth looking at for the comments.

1. Intro to chicken keeping

2. Common mistakes & how to fix them

3. Ventilation (important to chicken health), with helpful links to coop designs organized by climate (because what is just right for my New England hens won't work for my brother's Arizona chickens)

3(a). Farmers Almanac on Building Coops (Includes size requirements!) Allowing plenty of space for chickens is really important because, even as chicks, they will start pecking each other or plucking their own feathers, or become unhealthy if they are overcrowded. Here is a link to Colorado State Extension's publication on space and temperature requirements for chicks as they age.

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Gardening for chickens

7. BYC Lists of Chicken Ailments and Cures

To look for articles on your own:

A. Use the SEARCH button, but use the Advanced Search choice, and select ARTICLES at the top of the box. Just enter your keyword(s) and scroll through your results!

B. I find it helpful to notice the rating and reviews. All articles are by BYC members, and all the reviews/ratings are as well. The ratings help a newbie like me sort the most useful and reliable articles.

C. You can bookmark the articles or posts you think you want to refer to again using that bookmark icon at the top of articles or posts. You can find them again by clicking on your own avatar and looking at the list of bookmarks you have built up!

Notes about where to put a coop:

1. As far as you can, put a coop and run on high ground, that drains well, so you won't have so much muddy coop problems. Chickens need to be dry, dry, dry.

2. As far as you can, put a coop with the ventilation lined up with your prevailing breezes, and away from the direction of your storms. If you are not sure of these (who is these days?), check with your local National Weather Service website.

3. As far as you can, arrange for some sort of shade over your coop and run. Preferably deciduous so the girls will enjoy winter sun, but summer shade.

 

[DotToDot]

We have 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Black Jersey Giants and 6 Gold Laced Wyandottes. The Wyandottes are the ones who have the patchy downy on their chests.

That makes sense. Those guys are all pretty tough. I agree with @TwoCrows, introduce them slowly. They should be good in a week or two.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I'm sure that they will be fine in the coop.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. In a dry draft free coop they should be fine. You could provide a 'huddle box' for evening use.

 

[JewelsJj]

Welcome to BYC. In a dry draft free coop they should be fine. You could provide a 'huddle box' for evening use.

That’s a great idea thank you It is dry and draft free. It’s just the same temp as outside.

 

[JewelsJj]

That makes sense. Those guys are all pretty tough. I agree with @TwoCrows, introduce them slowly. They should be good in a week or two.

Thank you. We’ve been taking them out in the day to play and bringing them in at night.