Brooder top small?

[Kincer]

Our chicks are now 2wks, we brought them home Feb 14th and was told they were 1 day old then. We are first timers and wondering if our brooder is getting to small for them or is it just fine until 6 weeks and they move into the outdoor coop? They have started to 'fly' from one end to the other side also

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome to BYC!
It will be tight in the coming weeks.
Do you have grown chickens in your coop? What size is your coop?
Where in the world are you located? You can put that general information in your profile so it appears in your posts for ease in knowing what climate you are in.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

The brooder is small for 4 chicks, IMHO....
They need room to roam and roost. Can u get a larger bin and add a couple of roosts in there???
Adorable chicks! Enjoy!

 

[007Sean]

I agree with both previous posts, that's too small. A larger tote will work better.

 

[DobieLover]

I agree with both previous posts, that's too small. A larger tote will work better.

Or the coop if it is otherwise unoccupied.

 

[Kincer]

Thank you. We finished our coop finally it's 8ftx8ft with 6ft ceilings. We just have the 4 chicks, no other chickens so the main outside coop is empty. I have a smaller coop I was given for when they are ready for outdoors or the garage, it's the red one pictured, but wasn't sure what age they can go in that and be put in the garage with the heat lamp? Or I can get a second tote and connect it to the one they are in now inside the house since this Texas weather is so crazy right now. I appreciate the feedback

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you. We finished our coop finally it's 8ftx8ft with 6ft ceilings. We just have the 4 chicks, no other chickens so the main outside coop is empty. I have a smaller coop I was given for when they are ready for outdoors or the garage, it's the red one pictured, but wasn't sure what age they can go in that and be put in the garage with the heat lamp? Or I can get a second tote and connect it to the one they are in now inside the house since this Texas weather is so crazy right now. I appreciate the feedback

I would put the red coop in the garage with the heat lamp and move them there. Make sure you triple secure the lamp. They will be much happier there.
Make sure you watch them so that they are warm enough. You could make a huddle box for them and aim the heat lamp across the face of it, not directly into it.

 

[DobieLover]

I know you didn't ask for coop advice but I'll offer it regardless.
What kind of predators do you have in your area? Coons and weasels will tear right through chicken wire. You would be better off using 1/2" hardware cloth where you currently have chicken wire. The best prices for HC can be found on Amazon.
Do you have a predator apron around the base of your larger coop?
Do you have conformal closure strips between the roofing and framing? That is another access point for predators to gain entry to your chickens.

 

[Kincer]

Great we will work on that then...and thank you for the advice, being first timers I'll take it lol

As far as predators go, snakes in the summer time, we haven't seen a fox for about 3ish yrs other than that nothing more than the house cat and dog out here.

On the coop in the garage, would that cause a fire hazard of any? Or just the same as it being in the house? Want to be safe since we both will be at work during the day. The chicks have been also kicking up and 'digging' in the pine shavings, should I provide them with a small dust bath?

 

[DobieLover]

Great we will work on that then...and thank you for the advice, being first timers I'll take it lol

As far as predators go, snakes in the summer time, we haven't seen a fox for about 3ish yrs other than that nothing more than the house cat and dog out here.

On the coop in the garage, would that cause a fire hazard of any? Or just the same as it being in the house? Want to be safe since we both will be at work during the day. The chicks have been also kicking up and 'digging' in the pine shavings, should I provide them with a small dust bath?

All heat lamps no matter the location are fire hazards if not triple secured. Don't ever rely on the clamp that comes with the hood as the sole source of securing it. You can look up what other people have done to secure them. I personally used a brooder plate so I didn't have to worry about it.

Just because you've not seen coons where you are does not mean they are not there. They are nocturnal. I've only ever seen them once, at night. But I know we are infested with them. They can easily wipe out a flock in a single night. I have a friend who lost 14 of 15 birds over the course of 3 nights. She kept "reinforcing" her coop each night but never used the HC in the first place. Tough way to learn a lesson.