Am I doing this too early?

[bailey352]

What else would I keep them in? Please explain. And I didn't let them "chill". I went out and got them before it even got dark. One of my family members was telling me that I should put them outside, so I thought I would listen. I'm just glad I double checked. And I did do plenty of research, I just wasnt planning on them being able to fly so well that they could get out of the box I am keeping them in. At this age, anyways. Also, the storage box isn't bad... it has everything they need! The coop is about four feet tall, four feet wide, and around ten feet long.

 

[Kaitie09]

A plastic storage box (2ft long, 1 1/2 wide, 2ft tall) is what I use for their brooder inside for the first couple of weeks, but I also provide them with a heat lamp. If your room stinks that means you are not cleaning their brooder enough. I normally do a complete empty, clean, and refill with pine chips every 1-2 days. I fully clean their food and waterer every day, more if it is dirty. You should have a thermometer in there too just to make sure the temperature is correct, and they are not getting overly hot.

The rule of thumb is, if they are quiet, and happily sleeping/walking around, then the temperature is right. If they are all spread out from one another and laying around, it is too hot. If they all huddle together and peep like crazy, they are too cold. I normally heat on side of the box so the other side is cooler. That way they can adjust their temp when they want to.

 

[bobbi-j]

My chicks went out into a coop at 3 days old. It's 7' long x 5' wide x 8' high I did have two heat lamps going for them, though. Your coop should be fine for them if you can get a heat lamp put in there. Do you have an extension cord you can run from the house or garage to your coop?

 

[bailey352]

I clean their box almost every day!!! I also give them fresh water and food more that once a day. But yes, I have an extension cord. I was looking online at heat lamps and the only ones i could find were anywhere from $50-200!! I had no idea i could get them cheaper. But thanks so much for the advice! I still feel bad though, becaue I didn't know that they needed a heat lamp. Thats the only thing I didnt know!

 

[speckledhen]

It's okay, you're on the right track now. What I meant about "chill" was them being so young, not feathered and with overnight temps low with no heat source outside in a coop. Chills at their age can weaken them. Chicks can pile on each other trying to keep warm and literally smother to death.

Did this family member ever have chickens? Sometimes, folks who know nothing offer the most advice, it seems. Sounds like you got some bad advice. BYC is the place to learn all you need to know so keep on learning and growing with your chicks.

ETA: Look for a "brooder lamp" at a local hardware store or Walmart. Make sure it has a ceramic/porcelain base and not a plastic socket/base. Then get a heat bulb for it. It's pretty cheap.

I also wanted to add that you trusted your gut, that something wasn't right about them being out there, not feathered out, enough to come here and ask the question, and that is certainly to your credit!

This may be new to you, but you could turn out to have good instincts about your flock in the future. Always go with your gut when you feel something isn't right with the flock.

 

[bobbi-j]

I clean their box almost every day!!! I also give them fresh water and food more that once a day. But yes, I have an extension cord. I was looking online at heat lamps and the only ones i could find were anywhere from $50-200!! I had no idea i could get them cheaper. But thanks so much for the advice! I still feel bad though, becaue I didn't know that they needed a heat lamp. Thats the only thing I didnt know!

As Speckled Hen says, you can get them MUCH cheaper at a hardware store or Walmart.

 

[bailey352]

Thanks, SpeckledHen Thats encouraging! And I am definatly going to stay on this website!!! It has helped so much!

 

[DamselinFlannel]

Please don't feel bad.... You are learning a lot and asking questions is so important! And don't worry... I kept my first chicks in a storage box, too. My last batch of chicks (I had 21) I kept inside in a large box my husband built with a lid made of plywood and chicken wire -- the lid was a piece of plywood with huge squares cut out, so that basically it was framed chicken wire. That way they could feel the full effects of the heat lamp and have some light while still be confined to the box. It's amazing how quickly they start hopping around and being able to fly!

Congrats on your babies. You will learn so much on this site. And please don't kick yourself over things. You live and learn. Raising chickens is definitely a learning experience, and a wonderful one!

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks, SpeckledHen Thats encouraging! And I am definatly going to stay on this website!!! It has helped so much!

You're welcome. We hope to see pictures of your chicks here in days to come. Good luck!