Brooding in the coop

[ncffp163]

I've got a question...or several. I'm planning on brooding my new chicks in the coop (4'X6' floor area) and was wondering if I need to put brooder guard in there or just use the whole coop? Getting about 10 chicks in next 2 days.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: I have a 4x6 coop. it is just right for 10 chicks. use the whole coop. Don't use cedar chips, they are toxic to young chicks. Use the premium Hardwood chips in the white bag that Tractor Supply sells. When you open the bag, it should smell like fresh sawdust. Not turpentine. The turpentine smelling chips are softwood chips.
You don't need chick grit if they are only eating chick feed and water. If you supplement them with "extras" or they eventually start going outside to eat grass and things, then you need chick grit. Feed mine Purina Start And Grow medicated crumbles. Just easier to feed them the medicated feed, then buy all the medicine if they do contract cocci while eating the non-medicated chick feed. I also put Poultry Nutri-Drench in my chicks water for the 1st 4 weeks. 2cc per gallon. Its a fine nutritional supplement and keeps my chicks metabolism functioning at a regular pace. Have used Bovidr Labs products for years in my dogs and poultry. Very concentrated, a little lasts a long time. I buy the 4 oz. bottle at Tractor Supply. Last I checked, they had the lowest price in the nation at 6.99 for 4 oz.
http://www.bovidr.com/poultry.html Great because it doesn't need digesting. Goes straight to the bloodstream. Excellent for chicks which have traveled and have travel stress ( which can manifest even a couple of days after they get to their new home). Just one single drop by mouth per chick when they arrive.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746509/how-to-deal-with-travel-stress-in-baby-chicks
Best Regards,
Karen

 

[ncffp163]

Got the coop ready to use as the brooder today. I didn't set up the entire floor area for the brooder, left a little room to sit beside the brooder area and be able to reach everything. After putting down the shavings, I put a layer of paper towels on top of the shavings for the first day or so. Spent most of the afternoon getting the temp right under the brooder lamp (thought I'd never get it right...lol), then set out the waterers and feeder tray. Went and picked 6 Buff Orpingtons this afternoon. Helped the chicks get their first drink of water and tried to teach them where the feeder tray was at, I sprinkled a little of the chick feed on the paper towels around the tray. The chicks would eat the feed off the paper towels but, would not eat from the tray. Even when the feed was just outside the tray. Other than that...everything looks good so far. Temp is staying right around 95 deg. F. Checking every couple of hours to make sure temp is staying right. Going tomorrow afternoon to pick up some Speckled Sussex.

 

[donrae]

That is a nice brooder set up! I see sooo many brooders that are too small or look too hot, but that's very nice.

I am concerned, though about your statement of 10 chicks. If you plan to keep ten hens, that coop is going to be way too small unless you free range full time.

 

[ncffp163]

Thanks donrae. I appreciate it. As far as the 10 chickens, I'm planning on adding at least a 20'- 25'X5'X5' screened run and I will be letting the chickens free range also.

 

[donrae]

Thanks donrae. I appreciate it. As far as the 10 chickens, I'm planning on adding at least a 20'- 25'X5'X5' screened run and I will be letting the chickens free range also.

And the run will be great, but what about bad weather when they need to be inside? Even just roosting at night, that's going to be a pretty tight fit. I'd seriously reconsider the number of hens or plan on adding more space.

 

[ncffp163]

I've got about 10' of roost in there now, with room for a few more feet of roost if needed. But waiting to see what my hen to rooster ratio will be. If I get several roosters, I'll wind up having them for meat.

 

[ncffp163]

Added some Speckled Sussex chicks to the coop/brooder this afternoon. Everyone seems to doing good so far.

 

[ncffp163]

I think this a better pic

 

[ncffp163]

1st week of brooding the chicks is done. Hate to say but lost a Buff Orpington today. Not sure what happened, but it was the runt of the bunch. All the rest are doing great. Will raise the brooder lamp a little tomorrow. Planning on ordering some watering nipples this week, as the chicks are scratching the shavings into the waterers. At a little over a week old, is it too soon to start giving treats?