The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: funkyfish on February 26, 2013, 01:57:18 pm

Title: Too cold to put out young birds?
Post by: funkyfish on February 26, 2013, 01:57:18 pm

I hatched some chicks approx 5 weeks ago, they are almost fully feathered. If it was a bit warmer I'd def put them out (in small house with run so separate from the rest of the flock. Its approx 5 degrees here at the mo (Devon).


The thing is they are doing my nut! I've never raised such a feisty lot! They are in my lounge in a large indoor rabbit cage- usually this is no prob for 6 weeks or so, but these 5 (3x silkie, 1x Sicillian butter cup and an Ixworth) are fighting and flying around and are SO loud!


I also think all are cockerels (poss not the smallest silkie, it still fights, just not as much). They have things to peck at, meal wormes hidden round the place etc so not too board.


Is it really mean to put them out? Or do I (and the neighbours) have to suffer them for a few more weeks. They are off heat indoors.

Title: Re: Too cold to put out young birds?
Post by: Marches Farmer on February 26, 2013, 02:10:04 pm

Can you rig up a heat lamp?  I'd not risk it otherwise - the temperature can tumble in the hours before dawn and it would be a shame to have had all that hassle for nothing.  My first hatch is normally mid-April and I put them out in a house under cover at three weeks old - night temperatures are much higher then.

Title: Re: Too cold to put out young birds?
Post by: hughesy on February 26, 2013, 03:22:02 pm

I've got 10 chicks about 5 weeks old in a greenhouse with a heat lamp. Gets bloody cold in there at night but they seem to be fine. Wouldn't put them outside with no heat just yet though.

Title: Re: Too cold to put out young birds?
Post by: funkyfish on February 26, 2013, 06:31:38 pm

Thanks guys, will have to put up with the beasties then!


No electric up the field (or buildings appart from hen houses) so no heat lamp. Normally wait for warmer weather  before hatching, but just couldn't wait, as have downsized some of the indoor animals and the place was too tidy  :D  regretting it now.... They are entertaining to watch tho!

Title: Re: Too cold to put out young birds?
Post by: john2708 on March 11, 2013, 06:42:01 pm

My Orpingtons are six and seven weeks old and are out been snowing since Sunday and all seem fine so fare they have a 18 month old Orpington cock in with them who seems to being playing mother they sleep under him but in the day there out in the snow no problems

Title: Re: Too cold to put out young birds?
Post by: graham-j on March 11, 2013, 10:26:15 pm

Hi,I have thirty odd chicks been in a shed since they hatched with nothing more than an electric hen.

Graham.

Title: Re: Too cold to put out young birds?
Post by: funkyfish on March 13, 2013, 02:46:27 am

Thanks! Have had to put them out as they out grew their brooder (AKA a tv cabinate). Put them out beginin gof last week on a sunny day. They seem to be doing fine!