Brooder size question

[5 Points Wingfeather]

I’m making a brooder that will go inside the run with the adults. It’s 7 ft by 2 ft. I have three chicks. How old do they need to be before I can put them in with the adults. They’ll be with each other 24/7 but they’ll be protected. Also how long before 3 chicks outgrow a 7x2 brooder

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd do at least 2 weeks of seeing each other through the fence before trying to integrate. Chicks should be done with supplemental heat as well.

The brooder size should be adequate until they are 10-12 weeks at least, and maybe longer.

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

I'd do at least 2 weeks of seeing each other through the fence before trying to integrate. Chicks should be done with supplemental heat as well.

The brooder size should be adequate until they are 10-12 weeks at least, and maybe longer.

Thank you! They are 4 weeks old and have been off heat. So if leave them in with the adults where they can see each other from now (4weeks) till about 10 weeks you think the adults won’t attack them? I actually have one hen who keeps walking around their brooder fluffing up and putting her wings out like she wants to adopt them. She’s raised babies before. But I’m not going to try that I don’t think

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When I'm ready to start releasing them I do it under supervision, and only leave them out a short time. I tend to keep an eye on them for a week or two, and put them back in their own pen at night for a few weeks to months.

Most adults will give them a quick peck or ignore them. Every situation is different though. It helps to have places where the chicks can slip through or under to escape. A smaller escape hatch back into their pen is always good too if that's possible.

 

[aart]

This is how I do it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! They are 4 weeks old and have been off heat. So if leave them in with the adults where they can see each other from now (4weeks) till about 10 weeks you think the adults won’t attack them?

I'd aim for 6 weeks in your scenario to let them out, and consider how you can put in a few chick sized openings for when that time comes, so you can take advantage of their small size. Aart's article above has good examples of chick/panic doors.

Some of the adults will go after them but as long as they have places to hide (the brooder, other clutter in the run area) they should be fine.

 

[italktochickensTX]

I would wait until they’re the same size. I learned the hard way that I introduced my babies too soon. They were about 8 weeks old and I started slowly first by allowing them to see each other through fencing then free ranging together for a few weeks. Then by accident one day they were all in the run together, my hens pecked one of my pullets to death and almost killed another.