First of all, I'm reading so many different things when it comes to WHEN you can safely remove chicks from brooder into coop/run without heat. We have no electric ran to our barn, so They would have to be fully ready to be put outdoors.
I've read anywhere from 4-8weeks is the best time to put them outside, but wondering what truth is to that.
I will be receiving 12 Silkie hatching eggs and 12 RIR eggs first week of march, so temps should be warming up by the time they are 4-8 weeks. So if all 24 hatch and are healthy, how large of brooder will I need for them to make it the entire time before they go into the coop/run full time?
My fiance' said we could just have a large tub and sit them out in the carport with something over top of the tub but he didn't think that thought through, we have to many predators around (dogs etc.,..) their would be no way I would do that. So, we have a spare bedroom and I'm thinking of using this bedroom, we could keep the door closed to keep any extra dust down throughout the house.
How bad is the dust from chicks? I've had birds and they definitely produced some dust...But with 24 chicks?! Is their anything you can do to keep that down?
Thanks for everyone's help, loving having such a wonderful resource at my fingertips and love having others to enjoy a hobby with too!
I've read anywhere from 4-8weeks is the best time to put them outside, but wondering what truth is to that.
I will be receiving 12 Silkie hatching eggs and 12 RIR eggs first week of march, so temps should be warming up by the time they are 4-8 weeks. So if all 24 hatch and are healthy, how large of brooder will I need for them to make it the entire time before they go into the coop/run full time?
My fiance' said we could just have a large tub and sit them out in the carport with something over top of the tub but he didn't think that thought through, we have to many predators around (dogs etc.,..) their would be no way I would do that. So, we have a spare bedroom and I'm thinking of using this bedroom, we could keep the door closed to keep any extra dust down throughout the house.
How bad is the dust from chicks? I've had birds and they definitely produced some dust...But with 24 chicks?! Is their anything you can do to keep that down?
Thanks for everyone's help, loving having such a wonderful resource at my fingertips and love having others to enjoy a hobby with too!