Wintering young chicks

[ajlynco]

Here's my situation; I have 6 RIR's & 6 BR's(day olds) arriving on the 14th. My plan is to raise them in a brooder I have ready for them for a week or two, then move them to a basement coop. In my basement I have a room that's 6 1/2'X11' with a 3"X12" vent to the outside and a 1'X2' window also leading to the outside for light. I'm going to build a makeshift coop and run out of this room to let them 'feather out'. I have electricity in the room. Now for a coupla questions. Should I just leave them in the basment coop until spring and warmer weather comes? If not, how long in the basement coop? Also should I set up a light on a timer so they'll get used to the light cycle ( I'm raising them for laying)? The basement coop has a door so any smell won't permiate the rest of the basement. All suggestions accepted and appreciated.

 

[loanwizard]

Somewhere I read that broilers can go outside in as little as 3 weeks. Since I have eggs due to hatch when my chicks are 3 weeks old, we are going to test that theory. We all seem to forget that chickens are quite hardy.

 

[Momma on a Mission]

I have put my 3 weekers out in there new hen house 2 nights ago. With the heating lamp turned on and it got to 30 degrees. They all did well and are enjoying there new home.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

well I'm not sure about where you'll be moving them to and how your weather is. If you can provide a draftfree outdoor coop with a heat lamp they can get to, I'd skip the basement. That said, I'd move em out when I got tired of cleaning up after them...if its damp in the basement, and smells, its not good for the chickens...are you going to put down straw or what?

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
Broilers are not the same at all. I have FR, which are slow growing broilers, which have been out side since their second week. I also have Marans and RIR chicks the same age that I still have in our heated attached garage they are actually going out to the big coop today with a heat lamp. Our weather has been horrible (on vacation all week in order to winterize my coops and it has been cold and rainy) The difference is night and day, I will try to get you a pic, as soon as the torrential rain stops. I think you can but them in a coop with a light on them and they will be fine.
Michele

 

[ajlynco]

I live in Reno, Nv. and the winters seldom get lower than 20 degrees, and we have dry (high desert)weather. The basement stays around 62-68 degrees. It has a concrete floor which I'm going to be putting pine shavings down on. I'll be raising 6 RIR's and 6 BR's. I haven't had time to build the coop yet but will in the next few weeks.

 

[mstricer]

You should have no problem in the winter. You won't like them in your basement, though, the dust will be out of control and will get into your duct system.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

You can move them outside whenever you get your coop done...chickens do well in cold, dry, and once they have their feathers, I mean, their down jackets they will do ok...just watch em if its cold. If they aren't standing around huddled up and puffed out they are warm enough.

 

[loanwizard]

Quote:
Broilers are not the same at all. I have FR, which are slow growing broilers, which have been out side since their second week. I also have Marans and RIR chicks the same age that I still have in our heated attached garage they are actually going out to the big coop today with a heat lamp. Our weather has been horrible (on vacation all week in order to winterize my coops and it has been cold and rainy) The difference is night and day, I will try to get you a pic, as soon as the torrential rain stops. I think you can but them in a coop with a light on them and they will be fine.
Michele

Thanks Michele. I don't want to kill them, was just thinking as long as they have their feathers they should be ok. I will keep a close eye on them and have no problem putting a light on them. I have a 500w worklight that throws a lot of heat.

How do you like your Freedom Rangers compared to Cornish Crosses, and what part of Ohio are you in?

Thanks,
Shawn