I had my coop brooder panic doors open all last week. The chicks (11) were 3 1/2 weeks old and were in and out of the brooder all day long. They got the concept of the panic doors real quick and went back in the brooder every night, to sleep under the mama heat pad. I had it turned down to 1 buy Thursday night. My low temps were 30's - 40's and high temps were upper 50's - mid 60's
Today (4 1/2 weeks) I took the brooder down and made a roost in a corner for them. They were playing on it through out the day. I was hoping they would go up on it tonight to sleep, instead of huddling in a corner and they did. I've integrated before at 4 weeks, this year I started a little earlier and it went just as well. If you have room in your coop to brood, I highly recommend it, it makes integration so much easier. Also, integrating at an early age goes better, than waiting until they are older. At an early age the chicks aren't a threat to pecking order. The pecks the older girls give, is a get out of my way or what are you doing here. I've never had a problem with a young chick getting held down and pecked real bad, but it's something you do have to watch for. I start integrating on the weekend so I can be out there to see how things will go.
I use a dog x pen, with a dog crate attached to make my brooder. I make my panic doors out of cardboard.
First night out of the brooder and using their temporary roost. It won't be long until they are up with the big girls.
Today (4 1/2 weeks) I took the brooder down and made a roost in a corner for them. They were playing on it through out the day. I was hoping they would go up on it tonight to sleep, instead of huddling in a corner and they did. I've integrated before at 4 weeks, this year I started a little earlier and it went just as well. If you have room in your coop to brood, I highly recommend it, it makes integration so much easier. Also, integrating at an early age goes better, than waiting until they are older. At an early age the chicks aren't a threat to pecking order. The pecks the older girls give, is a get out of my way or what are you doing here. I've never had a problem with a young chick getting held down and pecked real bad, but it's something you do have to watch for. I start integrating on the weekend so I can be out there to see how things will go.
I use a dog x pen, with a dog crate attached to make my brooder. I make my panic doors out of cardboard.
First night out of the brooder and using their temporary roost. It won't be long until they are up with the big girls.
