When to move feathered pullets into unheated coop

[RedMoxie]

Hello all,

We have 15 lovely pullets that are at 6 weeks today. These delightfully stinky, dusty, squawky beasts are in a brooder in my guest room. 15 pullets. In my guest room. We are just finishing up our coop this weekend and I would LOVE to put them out, but they've been in 68 degree weather for the last 6 weeks and we have at least another few weeks of 20-30 (maybe worse) degree days (we are in Maryland).

They seem "fully feathered" but I will admit I don't know fully what that means. Our coop is going to be a walk-in, 10x12, with deep litter, so maybe a little roomy while they are still small. Additionally it will have an open roof (ala garden coop style) so we will have to figure out the insulating qualities a bit as we go.

Can we go ahead and move them out? What do we need to look for to know that they are ready?

Thanks in advance

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Two months should be old enough, and as many as there are, might keep each other warm.
When you say it's not going to have a roof, this pertains to the run, yes? I really should know my coop words by now....

 

[chickenmama109]

when chickens are fully feathered it means that they grew all of there feathers they have feathers all over there body i agree with fanci feathers two mouths and they should be ready

 

[chickenmama109]

when chickens are fully feathered it means that they grew all of there feathers they have feathers all over there body i would maybe wait a week they are ready to go out side but it might be too cold

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Well, I have a boy who is two months old, and he is outside. However, he is in a small coop that is not drafty. If RedMoxie wanted to make special arrangements, a bale of straw or shavings for them to play with might help. As long as it stays above freezing, they should do alright.

 

[RedMoxie]

Two months should be old enough, and as many as there are, might keep each other warm.
When you say it's not going to have a roof, this pertains to the run, yes? I really should know my coop words by now....

I guess I shouldn't say that it won't have a roof, but that the roof will be built on a slanted rafter system leaving a gap between the cover and the hardware cloth of up to 8 inches--great, I've read for ventilation, but we will have to play with any winter issues. This isn't our coop design, but we adapted from this so you can see what we are talking about:
http://www.thegardencoop.com/large-chicken-coop-plans.html

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

I guess I shouldn't say that it won't have a roof, but that the roof will be built on a slanted rafter system leaving a gap between the cover and the hardware cloth of up to 8 inches--great, I've read for ventilation, but we will have to play with any winter issues. This isn't our coop design, but we adapted from this so you can see what we are talking about:
http://www.thegardencoop.com/large-chicken-coop-plans.html

Oh, yes. I've heard of those. All you have to do is make sure the roosts are so much below the vents and you should be fine.

 

[PirateGirl]

I had problems with chicks at this age going out. I would say use your best judgement. I did things like put them out during the day and bring them back in when it dropped below a certain temp or hook up heat when it got below freezing. The chicks weren't the greatest at knowing when to go in/out of the coop due to weather either. I'd find them huddled and cold out in the run. On really cold days I'd sometimes lock them in the coop until they got a bit bigger. I feel like I'm rambling.

Long story short. Any time it was below freezing (day or night) they either went back in the house, got locked in the coop, or got a heat light in the coop. If chicks are acting lethargic at all or all standing huddled and refusing to move for hours, it's too cold for them. Progressively longer trips outside in the cold will help them acclimate. If they are pecking and scratching around and active, they are doing fine. Watch them closely.

 

[Birdinhand]

after having the house covered in dander more than once, we no longer brood inside, they go to a brooder in the coop, year round, doesn't depend on the weather, but we are careful to keep the brooder conditions adequate. they do much better when kept outside from day one, IMHO. you have enough chicks and they are feathered out that I don't think they even need light at this point, they will huddle. a mother heating pad would be preferable as a heat source if they need any.

 

[JMotuzick]

I’m planing on brooding right in the coop, 8 chicks coming 3-1. Although it might be a week or two before we sort out the other “packing peanuts” 2 of my friends are taking. Either way they will get a plate heater. Then mixed in with the full sized hens a few weeks early because they have already known each other for a few weeks!