Are my chicks ready for a coop?

[AmberFitz]

I need some help! I have three Rhode Island Red chicks and they are a little over 3 weeks old now. Their

feathers are growing in beautifully and they are starting to fly out of the big storage bin I have them in. I have started to put a light towel over the bin while we are away at work to keep them from wondering the house and dropping everywhere. They are also chirping a lot more lately. I clean their living quarter twice to three times a week, keep their feeder full, and water changed daily. From some of the reading I have gathered from this site, it says that they should not be chirping like that unless they need something or something is wrong. There isn't. That I know of at least. Also, from what I read, they shouldn't go in a coop until about 8 weeks. I take them outside once a day to explore the area also. I need some advice from you experts and more knowledgable folks!

 

[Judy]

Where are you? You can put a general location in your postbit by going into your profile.

If you live in the south, and if you have already turned the heat lamp off, I would say yes, without a doubt. Our lows will be around 60 for the next week. I would put a nice layer of hay in the coop so they can snuggle into it together if they wish, and I would be sure there was no draft blowing on them. (Ventilation at the top of the coop, where the inside and outsde air exchange aat the same spot, is not a draft.)

The cheeping is probably because they are ready to go out and explore the worls -- they are bored. They may even be a little warm.

 

[AmberFitz]

I live in Florida. I just updated my profile and included my location! Thanks for the help! Our weather calls for low to mid 60s at night as well. I actually use hay now for their bedding. I was using old sheets when I first got them and after a couple of days I realized that was not a very smart idea! They are definitely not under any vents and we keep our AC set at 76. Is this too warm or too cool? They also love to snuggle together when resting. The chirping definitely is not an all day occurrence but does occur more often and frequent than usual. I too agree that they might be getting bored. I just feel like they are ready for a bigger living environment but just wasn't sure if that was recommended based on their age.

 

[gander007]

These are my chicks at three weeks old in January 2014


Granted it was 50 F but when it got down to 40 F I put a blanket
over them also it kept the wind out ...