Brooder size - 4-5 week old chicks

[UrbanHenKW123]

Hi there - I'm on week 2 of chicken-hood. I have a question about brooder size. I'm currently using an old rabbit cage as a brooder for my 3 sex link chicks. Seems to be going well! We are going on vacation in a few weeks. During that week the chicks will be turning 4 weeks old. I have a pet sitter caring for them but I want to make sure they will be ok in this brooder until we get back (closer to when they turn 5 weeks, but a few days before). Any advice would be great!! Thanks!

 

[Peppercorngal]

I think they will be ok for your vacation but when you return I would get them outside ASAP! Unless you have your outdoor setup ready now? I'd transfer them outside with their hot plate before you go. They need some dirt to explore and getting them outside as soon as temperatures allow is always a good thing.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Should be ok since you only have 3 chicks, especially if the heat plate can go away by the time you're ready for your trip.

 

[UrbanHenKW123]

Should be ok since you only have 3 chicks, especially if the heat plate can go away by the time you're ready for your trip.

Thanks ! You think I can take away the heat plate by then? The temps have been 75-80 F here.

 

[UrbanHenKW123]

Should be ok since you only have 3 chicks, especially if the heat plate can go away by the time you're ready for your trip.

Thanks !
You think I can have them outside by then? They will only be 3.5 weeks when we leave. Everywhere I’m reading is saying 6 weeks until they’re outside. It has been really warm here though. 75-80 F. I’m just concerned about them not having enough room.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

3 chicks will be OK with that space. If you don't remove the heat plate, raise it up substantially.

make sure the feeder and water are elevated enough they don't fill them with shavings.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They'll definitely be fine without a heat plate at 3.5 weeks with those indoor temperatures.

Or if your coop is spacious and ventilated enough to lock them in and night time temps aren't too low, you could move them into only the coop section a couple days before you leave (to make sure they do ok while you're there to oversee things). It'll basically function like a large brooder and by the time you get back they'll be well homed to the coop.

 

[Steven Bussell]

Play it safe... move the plate outside with them... When you see that they are no longer using it than you know they don't want it...
I raised mine in thier coop from day one.
By the third week they didn't use it at all

 

[UrbanHenKW123]

They'll definitely be fine without a heat plate at 3.5 weeks with those indoor temperatures.

Or if your coop is spacious and ventilated enough to lock them in and night time temps aren't too low, you could move them into only the coop section a couple days before you leave (to make sure they do ok while you're there to oversee things). It'll basically function like a large brooder and by the time you get back they'll be well homed to the coop.

This is a good idea. It’s been about 75-80 during the day and about 68-72 at night.

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is a good idea. It’s been about 75-80 during the day and about 68-72 at night.

Should be plenty warm for them without additional heat. I agree that you can also move the plate out with them, if you have electricity to the coop, but I don't think it's necessary. However for peace of mind it wouldn't hurt to do so.