Old enough for outside ???

Are they ready for outside?

  • Yes

    Votes: 4 100.0%
  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Only when above a certain temp (feel free to share your "cutoff" temps)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    4
Quote: Theyre out..Im still feeling guilty but they are some seriously happy babies.. of course I went and sat out with them this morning and let them get their mama lovins but apparently they are almost "weaned" bc only my most loveable came..the rest were way tooo busy digging for goodies..
 
This is the link to one of those boxes (a DIY on building one). This holds up to 200, but the original instructions I saw included how to make it for smaller groups but thats sort of self explanatory...

http://www.plamondon.com/wp/build-200-chick-brooder-two-hours-20/

** All credit goes to the instruction's poster. I have never built one, but it looks like a very sturdy idea..

This is what I was planning on trying...a much smaller version of it though, using 100W ceramic heat bulbs instead of lights.
 
Quote:
Do you keep food and water inside or outside the box? And how soon do you use that(chick age wise). When you first set it up with young babies, do you have to make their area smaller or do they automatically go back to it? This set up reminds me very much about a picture I found in this book.. its sorta same thing but 100% reusable for years and made of wood..let me see if I can find it
Yes I keep two sets of feeders and water a small set inside the box just so they can feed and drink at night in the warmth. I would say as soon as they are a week old they would be ready for this. I brooded mine for about 10 days. I don't have a problem getting them to go back into the box, at first they want to stay huddled in the box. I ran them out on an 80 degree day we had last week and blocked the door, that got them used to the coop now they go in and out when they want. It's about 50 outside and most of them are running around the coop, that seems to be the magic number before they will come out.
 
Quote:
I am seriously debating on it. I never thought that I would go from my heat pads to a lamp, but these look very smart. The lin kI provided also has some other great resources. It is not the place that I originally saw it, but glad I looked for it (If you sign up for their mailing list, chances to win FREE CHICKEN BOOKS..LOL) My DH just tore down a house up the road that had 3 brand new rooms built on (there was still sawdust on the floors). Sadly, the man that owned the place killed himself and never used the rooms. But anyways, when he was tearing it down, he saved all of that new lumber (think he said he has about 300 2x4s and about 150 other odd and end pieces of lumber) so I should be able to build one without even leaving the farm. I bought 2 250 heat bulbs. I dont know why I got them, they must have been on sale or something, but I think that one of those should be perfectly acceptable in a box about 4x 4? I usually brood about 30 chicks at a time, so thinking I may make it smaller and taller? I think the extra height would be good ofr a bulb of that strength and the size would give all the babies room without getting too much space. Definitely thinking it will be my next project.. and if I dont use it, Im sure there is someone local that would be happy to take it off my hands..
 
Quote: Yes I keep two sets of feeders and water a small set inside the box just so they can feed and drink at night in the warmth. I would say as soon as they are a week old they would be ready for this. I brooded mine for about 10 days. I don't have a problem getting them to go back into the box, at first they want to stay huddled in the box. I ran them out on an 80 degree day we had last week and blocked the door, that got them used to the coop now they go in and out when they want. It's about 50 outside and most of them are running around the coop, that seems to be the magic number before they will come out.
Its about 66 here right now. But been dropping to the 40s at night. I am hoping that this weeks warm spell indicates that the true cold weather is gone (oh, wouldnt that be so very nice..nothing like waiting on summer just to bytch that its too hot) but I am getting ready to go throw the baby ducks outside for a bit. I so wish they werent evil and didnt want to torment my chicks bc I think they would love the grow out pen. But alas, they are meanies so now Ihave to come up with another plan. My lone drake has been so lonely and I know its only a matter of time before he catches one of the hens away from a roo and could hurt them taking out his frustration. But I would like to do something where he can talk to the babies without getting near them..I have an old converted box stall already covered in wire for broody hens, so may just convert that to the duck grow out pen.. oh the ideas in my head that this thread has started churning....
 

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