Bigger Box?

[jmmre31]

I have 14 peeps in a large wire dog kennel. When warm enough 60+ I take them outside for 1/2 an hour. They are 3 weeks old, and I am getting concerned I need to move them to a bigger container. I'm afraid to move them to the coop just yet. It is still getting down to the 30s at night. Should I try and find a large cardboard box (frig box)?

I've raised 2 sets of 10 peeps in the kennel, and they were fine. I just didn't think the extra 4 would make a big difference, but now I'm reconsidering.

Where can you get the really large cardboard boxes?

 

[Yay Chicks!]

They do grow so fast, don't they? And it probably helps that they are getting outside a bit. As for the box, have you checked with an appliance store, or Home Depot...something like that?

 

[jmmre31]

I've only hatched two other times, but these are the craziest peeps yet. That is why I'm so concerned. Every time I open the door even for a sec. They fly out and are everywhere! I'm running around the basement scooping them up. They love it. I started thinking maybe it is just too tight in there and they need more room. I've heard that if the peeps are kept in a container that is too small, they will start pecking at each other, and the smaller peeps will start having troubles. Don't have these problems yet!

 

[kittycooks]

Wow, 14 three-week old chicks! I'm guessing they do need more room. With my current flock I was taking them out to my coop during the day and bringing them in at night. I hung a brooder lamp with a 100 watt bulb out in the coop and let them regulate themselves. They were very happy to go out and play each morning. I find this flock is better adjusted than the previous ones where I kept them confined in a large box for a longer time. They acclimated to my suburban neighborhood sounds much easier and they rarely startle. (chicken hurricane as my daughter calls it)

 

[Judy]

If there is any way you can get a little heat to your coop I would probably get them outside. It would be good if they could be out longer than that during the day as well.