Brooder graduation

[chickencaper]

I have three week old chicks (straight run black sex link, buff Orpington females, and Ameracauna females) brooding in a 4'X6'X12" homemade brooder with daily outings to dust bathe. There are 23 birds. I was planning to move them out to 2 sizable chicken tractors at 4-6 weeks as separate populations. Any input about age to move to new enclosures? Florida panhandle temperatures are quite warm enough I believe.

 

[N F C]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

We can always use another Floridian around here, lol.

Are you wanting to take them out in the day and put them inside at night or are you thinking of keeping them in the tractors all the time? If they are fully feathered you should be ok during the day. I don't know what your nighttime temps will be but here in north-central, we're looking at nighttime lows in the 60's soon. That sounds a bit chilly to me but someone else might have a different opinion. Maybe they'd be ok if wind and rain can't get to them.

If you'd like to come say hello to other members from FL, here's the state thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/305793/florida-always-sunny-side-up
You might find members close by you.

Good luck with your flock, make yourself at home here!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on NorthFlChick's advice. If you haven't done so already, definitely check out our Learning Center at https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center. There is loads of useful information there. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your chicks.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are very glad you decided to join us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Glad you joined the Backyard chickens flock. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

 

[chickencaper]

The tractors have enclosed coop/roost/nest boxes for nighttime. As we have many predators, the tractors are a bit over engineered to keep the chicks safe. I'm considering keeping my excess cockerels elsewhere after the pullets go to tractors. I'll look into the education spot. Thanks.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Michael OShay]

The tractors have enclosed coop/roost/nest boxes for nighttime. As we have many predators, the tractors are a bit over engineered to keep the chicks safe. I'm considering keeping my excess cockerels elsewhere after the pullets go to tractors. I'll look into the education spot. Thanks.

You're welcome.