4-5 week old chicks

[poohberri04]

I have two four and a half week old chicks. They are currently under a heat lamp in a big box. If it is warm enough outside, say 70-75 degrees, I let them run around in the backyard in recently constructed planter boxes. They have no dirt in them as of yet and are about 6'x6'x2' and make great little play pens for the chicks to get used to being outside. However, when I bring them in at night or on cold days when they stay in their box, they tear up the newspaper in their box worse than a nesting rat. Is there anything to recommend that may let them scratch without me having to clean out their entire box everyday?

 

[RonC]

I used pine shavings in my brooder. They can scratch and "dust bathe" in them. Never had a problem with them eating the shavings. Buy the large ones. I would ween them from the heat lamp. Most breeds are about ready to go into the coop at that age.

 

[poohberri04]

These are the first chicks I've ever tried raising and am doing surprisingly well if I do say so myself. We are currently building up our backyard and have not purchased a coop yet. The guy I talked to at the feed store said not to put them outside until 7-8 weeks. And where I live it still gets pretty cool at night plus it's supposed to rain. I will try the pine shavings though. I've been doing some searching and have seen a lot of pictures with shavings in the brooder. I will let you know how it works out!

 

[BrittBergh]

Pine shavings work great in the brooder box. We clean every 3rd day the shavings...sometimes more it depends on the smell lol! The shavings and poop go directly outside into the compost or spread on my veggie/fruit gardens.

I have 5-6 week olds and they spend days outside but they still come in at night...Im not ready for them to move out totally lol

 

[RonC]

Some breeds do not feather out as soon as others and it's your choice when to move them out. Mine were a little over 4 weeks old when they moved to the coop. Night time temps were into the low fifties and mid seventies in the day. They were out growing their brooder and too noisy and messy by then. Again it's your choice.

 

[flyingdave]

I have to agree with all posted. Wait till they are feather out and I use larger pine shavings. I have not yet prevented any chicks from dumping there food, and I have use commericial and homemade feeders. I let their dish run out and then they have to go forage among the shavings.