What would you do differently next time?

I am expecting my fourth batch of chicks later this week and thinking about things I will do differently this time.

My main goal will be to handle them more frequently. I gave my first batch a lot of attention and thus they are more more tame than my last batch which I raised in the coop with the others.

Anything you will adjust in raising your next batch?

The most important thing I learned about raising chicks that I didn't know the first time was to handle them from the side and not from above since it sets off an instinctual fear of being attacked by a predator.

But the most valuable difference in the way I raise chicks has occurred only this past year. I now brood my chicks outdoors in the run under the heating pad system. See the thread on this forum "Mama heating pad for the brooder".

The difference in the self confidence level of these chicks and ease in integrating them into the flock is remarkable. They also feather out quicker and are very cold hardy. Just this week, I was able to move my present group of chicks into the coop and they are now roosting with the adults at only four weeks old. They no longer need a heat source, either.

I recommend it highly if you're open to doing things differently.

azygous said:

The most important thing I learned about raising chicks that I didn't know the first time was to handle them from the side and not from above since it sets off an instinctual fear of being attacked by a predator.

But the most valuable difference in the way I raise chicks has occurred only this past year. I now brood my chicks outdoors in the run under the heating pad system. See the thread on this forum "Mama heating pad for the brooder".

The difference in the self confidence level of these chicks and ease in integrating them into the flock is remarkable. They also feather out quicker and are very cold hardy. Just this week, I was able to move my present group of chicks into the coop and they are now roosting with the adults at only four weeks old. They no longer need a heat source, either.

I recommend it highly if you're open to doing things differently.

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X2. I'll do the same thing. Four weeks in the house was to much!

I'm in PA also, was thinking I would be able to move my girls outside maybe next week (they'll be 3 weeks old) if the temps stay the way they've been (in the high 80's during the day, 60's overnight) Is this really ok to do? I'm so nervous that I'll do something wrong. I'm more paranoid with these chicks than I was when my daughter was born LOL. I did have them out in the coop for a few hours yesterday they seemed to really enjoy pecking around in the grass, but I made the mistake of not getting them back into the brooder before the sun started to drop so they were a little stressed. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Vicki72 said:

I'm in PA also, was thinking I would be able to move my girls outside maybe next week (they'll be 3 weeks old) if the temps stay the way they've been (in the high 80's during the day, 60's overnight) Is this really ok to do? I'm so nervous that I'll do something wrong. I'm more paranoid with these chicks than I was when my daughter was born LOL. I did have them out in the coop for a few hours yesterday they seemed to really enjoy pecking around in the grass, but I made the mistake of not getting them back into the brooder before the sun started to drop so they were a little stressed. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

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I sure would move them. Just provide a bit of heat at night in case they need it. They're usually feathered enough at three weeks to handle temps above 70, but below that, they may still need to warm up.

I'm a firm believer, now after brooding two batches of chicks outdoors, that chicks belong outdoors and raising them in a confining brooder indoors isn't really the best way to raise chicks. They need the space and will benefit from being in their coop and run, where they'll be living for the rest of their lives, as soon as possible.

Thanks azygous!

I've been brooding chicks a while now and am pretty comfortable with my routine. I did go with the heating pad cave in the brooder last month, and am in love with it!

Other than that....

I always brood outside. I'm not breathing all that dust and dander
I brood in a large stock tank. Plenty of room for littles to thermo regulate. Also lots of space for different age chicks to get along and not get squished.
I use pine shavings from day one.
I use all-in-one feed, nonmedicated. I put clumps of grass with dirt in the brooder for them to pick at, and to inoculate them against our local cocci.
Depending on the weather, I move them to the grow-out pen between 4 and 6 weeks.


Of course, the easiest way I've found to raise chicks is a broody hen....she does all the heating and turning of the eggs, heats the chicks, makes sure they eat and drink....easy peasy for me!