brooder to coop in NC - is it too soon?

[Heather J]

i put my chicks out in the coop at two weeks. I ran two extension cords to be able to reach them with a heat lamp, but I found with my ducks and geese (who also brooded in the coop because I had no adults last year) I went from nearly an hour of clean up every day to ten or fifteen minutes. This year I built a temporary nursery for my chicks under the nesting boxes and moved them out to the coop again at two weeks, they stayed in there until five weeks old when the space got way too small and they started picking. Since then they've run free with the adults, though I have a mini-run with corners lifted up so they can get away from the big girls when they get picked on a lot.

I've had really good luck moving them out when they are still pretty young. I would keep them shut in the coop for a week or two, then let them into the run after that during the day with the heat lamp available in the coop when the temps are low. They'll put themselves back to bed when it gets dark. I've found them in the run sometimes at night, but they're sleepy and let me move them, no problem. Though they can free range, they *always* come back to the coop/run at night.

Just do what feel right to you, make sure they can stay warm if it's cool, give them food and water and keep them safe from predators. It sounds like you've got a handle on that, so don't stress.

Of course, obsessively counting the girls every night to make sure every sweet little head made it back inside is totally normal. lol

 

[ausamerican33]

That's really good, Jenny. I put 7 outside in a little barrier (like 2x3 ft). They loved it! Now, if only I can remember tomorrow whose been out, and who hasn't... hard to tell them apart, except for a few distinct ones. Hopefully, the coop will be finished this weekend. So even though they are still little - I think I'll put them outside (their coop and yard is all enclosed) for the daylight hours, under a watchful eye. I'll either bring them in at night, or lock them up in the coop. I'm guessing the coop will be easier.

Em - glad to meet a fellow NC info-nerd!!

And it's funny - I'm the same way with my house - I'm in no way a neat-nick with cleaning, even though I'm so thorough with everything else!

 

[ausamerican33]

Heather - we must've been posting at the same time.

Thank you for all your DETAILS - ah, I love details!!!

It sounds like I'm on the right track, if I do it similar to what you've done. I'll put them in the coop when it's finished this weekend (fingers crossed), but only let them into their "play yard" supervised, otherwise they can hang in the coop. It's very roomy and has windows. Maybe I should get them satellite and internet access?

Question - the coop will be on the grass - so grass floor. Should I put any shavings on top of the grass, or just leave it, and encourage them to perch? They are doing really well on their practice perches in their brooder. We plan to move the coop every couple months.

 

[DawnSuiter]

As somone who broods in dog crates on MY screened in back porch as well, I just thought I'd tell you I transition them to the coop WITH the crate. And they sleep in it a few days, then on it a few days, then the move to other areas of the coop and I remove it.

We're neighbors, by state anyway... welcome to chickens too! I'm also a read-a-holic, or so I've been told

 

[ausamerican33]

Thank you, Dawn! That's a great idea - to leave the dog crates in the coop for a while - I'll definitely do that. I like your avatar - I guess Aussie Chick has a whole different meaning, here! I lived for 12 years in Australia, which is one of the reasons I got 5 Australorps. And I must say - they are ever so cute!