Ok, so this is obviously a newbie question. Our chicks are 11 days old (54 Barred Rocks, 1 Easter Egger and 3 Silkies). They are being kept in a brooder in the coop. The coop has a wood floor and is completely secure from predators. It stays right around 70 degrees in the coop and there is also a heat lamp hanging over the brooder. Even though they are only 11 days old they are starting to get some lift with their wings. They can jump/fly about 8"-10" off the coop floor. The brooder sides are about 24" tall.
Is there any reason why they can't have full run of the coop and not be limited to the brooder? The kids and I love to get in the brooder with them and hold them, but it would be even more fun if they just were loose in the coop. At this age why do they have to be restricted to a brooder during the day when their coop is secure? Would they need to be confined to the brooder at night? They all seem to self regulate their temperature with the heat lamp.
What am I missing? THANKS!!!
Is there any reason why they can't have full run of the coop and not be limited to the brooder? The kids and I love to get in the brooder with them and hold them, but it would be even more fun if they just were loose in the coop. At this age why do they have to be restricted to a brooder during the day when their coop is secure? Would they need to be confined to the brooder at night? They all seem to self regulate their temperature with the heat lamp.
What am I missing? THANKS!!!
