Winter Chicks SOS

[whe343]

Hi there,
I had no idea all 10 eggs would be fertile. 9 survived thus far at 2 weeks old and I NEED these poopers out of our garage. They are well bonded with their mother. We have a large coop, and smaller coops shown in pictures. WHEN can I put these poopers in the smaller coop, with mom hen and a pad warmer? I CAN lift them down and up each day from the run. I can also put a wind protected box in the run. Temps currently 20-30F getting to 40-60f in about 2 weeks Raleigh Nc

 

[horror_trashcan]

You could do it now! I just brooded 15 chicks in a tin box outside with a heat lamp and they have done wonderfully, 6w old now and no heat for almost 2 weeks now it has got down to 2°. The inside of the box would get just as cold as outside and they would be fine walking around, as long as they can get back to the heat they will be okay. And of course if your mama is good at her job she will make sure they're okay. Do make sure there is a non drafty area as well.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Read this thread about brooding with a hen in a colder area than you are.

Broody in Michigan Winter? | BackYard Chickens - Learn How to Raise Chickens

 

[Slothinc]

They are sooo cute! I have 20 chicks 3-5 weeks old in my basement living room at the moment They don’t have a broody mama though, so I’m scared to put them out with just their heat pad with the cold weather. If I had a broody I would go ahead and put them out now - they should be just fine with their mama!

 

[whe343]

Hi there,
I had no idea all 10 eggs would be fertile. 9 survived thus far at 2 weeks old and I NEED these poopers out of our garage. They are well bonded with their mother. We have a large coop, and smaller coops shown in pictures. WHEN can I put these poopers in the smaller coop, with mom hen and a pad warmer? I CAN lift them down and up each day from the run. I can also put a wind protected box in the run. Temps currently 20-30F getting to 40-60f in about 2 weeks Raleigh Nc

Update!!
Added heat pad, cardboard, plastic and hay. I’ll move the chicks and hen up and down each night. Dad watching in pic.