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[Redwing]

Chris - aboput 80% of hobbyist hatches happen during spring and summer

 

Most breeders hatch and move to stables/sheds/outbuildings

 

It would seem like when you post you have already made your mind up about what you are going to do anyway and so I don't think I have any more advice I can give

 

I hope that the chicks do well

[Cooks]

Chris, this is meant in the very best way, but collectively here on Omlet you have years of experience from Chicken owners/breeders, if as you say you are going to take the advice with a 'pinch of salt', it isn't clear to me why you came here asking for advice in the first place?

People have tried to make you realise the dangers and potholes that could happen, to prevent you any problems and upset, I really think you should actually take in the advice and really think about these birds best interests.

I wish you well and hope that you make the right decision for the chooks, not necessarily for yourself.

[Lewis]

I also aggree about the 7 weeks. Mine hatched at the end of July and went out at 8 weeks, still very slowly, and in an which is warmer than a wooden coop. We had frost this morning and I still made sure they were all ok and warm.

 

 

Check the websites/books you read, they may be American and so their weather (in most places) is warmer than ours, and as others have said, most hatches happen early in the year. Also when did your neighbours hatch theirs?

 

We're only trying to help and not criticise but why ask questions on here if you say you're "taking ur advice but with a pinch of salt and i will know if they cant stand the cold or if the are ready", as we've all been there and hatched before so can speak from experience, which is what the forum is for afterall

It might be the best thing for the birds to stay somewhere else over winter if your parents can't have them in the house (as they should have really known before the hatch took place) - I hope they are okoutside though

 

 

Edit: Sorry, cross posted with Lyndsey

[ChrisEllis]

Yes i understand - but i would understand if someone said introduce them over a longer period - but i cant have them in my house for 5 months, otherwise i will jst have to give them away - and i dont want to do that - if push comes to shove they can go in the shed with an infra-red bulb and have the possibility of going outside. Im sure nt every person hatchin at this time is keping them in until spring thats just madness?

[Lewis]

A shed with infra-red bulb will be fine - they're sheltered, away from wind and have a heat source so its similar to being inside the house

 

There aren't that many people hatching at the moment, because of the fact they'd have to heat them over winter which costs more and fertility is also reduced at this time of year.

[ChrisEllis]

k, well thanks for the advice - sorry im ignorant - hormonal teenager - thats my excuse i'll look after my chicks like they're royalty i'll stick some pics up of the new hathed tomorrow

[Egluntyne]

......well thanks for the advice - sorry im ignorant - hormonal teenager - thats my excuse i'll look after my chicks like they're royalty i'll stick some pics up of the new hathed tomorrow

 

Not ignorant Chris, just enthusiastic.

 

If I may be so bold as to say so, I think you need to build up your expertise slowly, gaining experience of basic hen keeping and doing plenty of in depth reading and research before venturing into areas such as hatching etc.

[tom123]

Chris, everyone is only telling you this for your own sake. I have hatched polands and I only put them outside at 8 weeks on their own in the summer as they sooo fragile. PLEASE do not put them out until spring! Unless you can offer them a large run inside a stable with lots of straw and a cuddly toy maybe then do not do it! If you want them to live then you will understand.

 

I have just set 6 bantam eggs under a broody however I took into account the cold weather conditions and she & the chicks will be living inside them coop in a stable with lots of straw throughout the winter until April time. I hope this does not come across big headed but, like a few other people on here, I have hatched many times (about 8 times) and it isn't as easy as 'i will know if they cant stand the cold or if the are ready'. One day they could be fine and then the next day you could have a frost and they could all die? How bad would you feel then?

 

I wish the best of luck to you and I hope you make the right decision.

Tom

[tom123]

Well just to prove our point, I had some upsetting news last night.

 

I had 4 five week old polish bantam chicks at my friends house. They were living in her utility room with a heat lamp in a brooder. Yesterday her bulb died while she was out for less than an hour. She came back to 4 freezing cold, dead chicks. She had been out for less than an hour and they had froze to death in this time. They were INSIDE the house in a warm brooder yet they died after a very short period of time with no heat.

 

This just proves how fragile and vulnerable little chicks are and I hope this goes to show that you can NEVER be to relaxed about them. When an animals welfare is concerned you have to do what you can to help them and look after them.

 

I think if you decide to hatch eggs, whatever time of year, then you MUST be prepared to care for the resulting chicks as much as possible as you brought them into the world so you must keep them there.

 

Tom

[Egluntyne]

That is sad news.

[tom123]

Thank you, It just goes to show that you never know whats round the corner.

[Space Chick]

Sorry to hear about the chicks Tom. Thanks for sharing as it is an important lesson on the vulnerability of chicks.

[Lewis]

I'm sorry Tom I know how excited you were about them.

 

Just goes to show you can't be too careful