Brooder for giant babies???

[tanialynn]

Hi! My peeps will be 3 weeks old tomorrow but they are already so big! Wondering what others do in the last couple weeks before they can be moved to the coop?? Thanks in advance for suggestions!

 

[Chickassan]

How many babies are we talking about here, and where do you keep your brooder?

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I've got new hatchings too, do you think it's safe to put them in the pen with mother and dad? And when should I introduce them, if I decide to?

 

[Chickassan]

Oh I don't know Bobby Hill, I keep mine inside in a dog playpen when they're little iv'e never put them out with the big ones. I do start putting them in an outdoor pen during the day once they hit about two weeks but I bring them in at night. I'd be afraid if the hens didn't hatch them they'd peck them.

I've got new hatchings too, do you think it's safe to put them in the pen with mother and dad? And when should I introduce them, if I decide to?

 

[AnimalGeek23]

A dog playpen would do.

 

[snow5164]

Hi! My peeps will be 3 weeks old tomorrow but they are already so big! Wondering what others do in the last couple weeks before they can be moved to the coop?? Thanks in advance for suggestions!

Can you move them out now? The sober the better and if they can have their heat source out there ....

I have used dog kennels in the past , but I’d really try to move them out

 

[feathermaid]

Actually, they can go out to the coop any time... they still need a heat source, but just for a little while longer, you could run an extension cord.
I kept my first brood in the house for 4 wks until they became unbearable -- so dusty!! Then I move the brooder (enclosed in hardware cloth) to the outside patio for another 2 wks, then the coop.
Second time around I had discovered Mama Heating Pad and it was a life changer! Babies went to the coop almost right away and were off supplemental heat and fully integrated with my older hens by 4-5 weeks old!
Both broods had supervised free range time during the day to build up immunities.

I highly recommend that method of brooding, or anything besides a heat lamp. Here are some interesting articles:
Kick The Heat Lamp: Better, Safer And Healthier Options To Heat Your Brooder

Pseudo Brooder Heater ‘Plate’

Raise chicks outside

Good luck with your new flock!!

 

[feathermaid]

I've got new hatchings too, do you think it's safe to put them in the pen with mother and dad? And when should I introduce them, if I decide to?

If chicks weren't raised by the mama, then they will be treated like any other newcomers. Use the "See but don’t touch" method.