How to physically take baby chicks outside for field trips?

newmarch2014 · Mar 31, 2015

I used a 5 gallon bucket for a long time since I would take them up to my garden with me and then back to the brooder. It is nice and tall and keeps 4 in pretty well for about 6 weeks. Then it is only 2 to a bucket. I used a nice big garden basket the first week but they quickly learned they could hop on the edge and it made me too nervous.

MacCana · May 21, 2015

If I have less than 10 or so (which I usually do, I hatch small batches) I will carry them out in my shirt. I just wear baggyish t-shirts when working with them and I will make a "pouch" and put them in it and hold the opening closed against my stomach. I find they snuggle up together and form a little chick belt across the front of my shirt and will be quiet overall besides some slight chirping. I find its the quietest and least stressful way I've done so far. If you don't want to risk a slightly dirty shirt though you could always use an apron over your clothes or just put them in a basket or bucket. Something deep or with a top so they can't hop out is best.

lazy gardener · May 21, 2015

I've trained my 2 broods this spring to a cat crate. It works very well. I'm using the MHP brooding system, so they associate dark spaces with safety. I set the cat crate down with the door propped open against a wall. Then, I use a butterfly net (an other indispensable chick management tool) to herd them around their pen to the cat carrier. They usually scurry right in. There are 9 left in the first batch (5 weeks old... I sold 10) and there are 22 in the second batch. I leave the cat crate open and stuffed with a nice bed of hay so that they can use it during the day.

How to physically take baby chicks outside for field trips?

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newmarch2014

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MacCana

Chirping

lazy gardener

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