Brooder in the coop...will this work?

[happylittlehens]

My 4 RIR’s are about 3 weeks old I’m guessing. My hubby built this brooder for inside the coop. Will it be sufficient to keep my littles safe from the big girls? And when can I put them out there? Temps in the coop are in the 90’s during the day and about 70 at night. Thanks for any advice. This is my first time integrating new chicks into the flock. Pics of chick and brooder below.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes I would put them out there as soon as possible. I would leave them in that set up for a couple of days. Then I would lift the box and place it on some bricks, just high enough that the chicks could get out.

The chicks will explore, but will scoot back to safety if they feel threatened by a big bird. Hang out there the first day you do it, and when they come out of the safety zone, stomp your feet and "chase" them just to make sure they will go back to safety.

Last spring, in temperatures much cooler than yours, mine were out at 3 weeks. Worked a treat, and in a week, I took it all down. They were integrated.

Mrs K

 

[50-45-1]

I prop my brooder up on one side like Mrs K. This also helps to keep feeding your chicks grower and not having the adult chickens having access to it. The adults like to tip over the chick water also.
I think i would move that light off to the side and make sure it is a low wat bulb that will not start that straw or anything else on fire.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think that I would turn that light off. It is more than warm enough for those chicks

 

[happylittlehens]

I don’t have a light on in there. The daytime temps inside the coop are 90-100 degrees.

 

[Stepnout]

looks like you have a piece of expanded metal you can raise up and let the chicks out. I suppose if you don't raise it too high the older hens could not get in and the littles would run back for safety.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think it must be the sunlight, it looks like a light on.

 

[happylittlehens]

I think it must be the sunlight, it looks like a light on.

Oh yes, it’s from the window. I was confused about what light was being discussed haha!

 

[Shorty22366]

I put my chicks in coop in a broder at 9 days and keep them see can't touch for a couple weeks now everyone is integrated. Got 12 eggs due to start hatching tomorrow. They will stay in coop with all the rest.

 

[aart]

Is that your hens nest on top of brooder?
Might be best to put that someplace else.