I live in the northeast where our daily temps average 35*-50* & evenings are 20*-35*. I have 20 meat chicks that are almost 3 wks old, presently divided between 2 livestock waterers w/a lamp in an unfinished basement room til they're ready for the cooler nights outside. They're starting to get their feathers and I only have a 100 watt bulb in the brooders.
How & when should I move them outside? A few options I have: Keep them in a covered large area (the coop 'addition' just built with a roof & sided on 3 1/2 sides with a portion of the 4th side covered in heavy gauge wire, so wind can get to them- none of our laying hens have been exposed to it; OR I can evacuate a portion of my inside coop (that is now occupied by 20 layers) & put the meaties in there (is it OK to put them in an area where other birds have been or should they have a 'sterile' area?)
Please be as detailed as possible or provide pics of how & when I should do the transition & how much protection is needed from the elements. FYI, they will be ~5# at 8 wks old & ready to be processed. My main concern is 'shocking' them & knowing when they'll have enough feathers to protect them.
Sidebar - I know many perceive that any livestock should be outdoors but this was our 1st time & if we do this again (meat chicks), we'll start them during warmer mos & keep them outside from the get-go. But, I wanted to keep a closer eye on them & the room we have is secluded from the rest of the house, I have an air cleaner for dust nearby, etc. If anyone puts chicks outside in these temps from the get go- please let me know. I don't have a broody hen & given how much they hated even 75* temps at first, I can't imagine how they could tolerate the colder temps we have here.
This is where they are today: 11.14.11. Keep in mind they'll likely 'meat' their maker at the end of December...
How & when should I move them outside? A few options I have: Keep them in a covered large area (the coop 'addition' just built with a roof & sided on 3 1/2 sides with a portion of the 4th side covered in heavy gauge wire, so wind can get to them- none of our laying hens have been exposed to it; OR I can evacuate a portion of my inside coop (that is now occupied by 20 layers) & put the meaties in there (is it OK to put them in an area where other birds have been or should they have a 'sterile' area?)
Please be as detailed as possible or provide pics of how & when I should do the transition & how much protection is needed from the elements. FYI, they will be ~5# at 8 wks old & ready to be processed. My main concern is 'shocking' them & knowing when they'll have enough feathers to protect them.
Sidebar - I know many perceive that any livestock should be outdoors but this was our 1st time & if we do this again (meat chicks), we'll start them during warmer mos & keep them outside from the get-go. But, I wanted to keep a closer eye on them & the room we have is secluded from the rest of the house, I have an air cleaner for dust nearby, etc. If anyone puts chicks outside in these temps from the get go- please let me know. I don't have a broody hen & given how much they hated even 75* temps at first, I can't imagine how they could tolerate the colder temps we have here.
This is where they are today: 11.14.11. Keep in mind they'll likely 'meat' their maker at the end of December...