Building a new coop

[junkman56]

Another good way to reduce heat is using a dimmer extension cord.
Have they been outside at all....or garage door opened during day?

Huddle box is a good idea, use it in the brooder then move to coop with them.
It would need to be pretty big for 15 chicks at 3-4wo.
Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.

I have not had them outside at all. I have the garage door open during the day, I may move them out today with the heat lamp at night, they are outgrowing the brooder box, and no room for a cuddle box

 

[junkman56]

I moved the chicks out to the
coop deville ,
I put their heat lamp under the poop board , they will only get heat at night now, for another week or so

 

[junkman56]

 

[junkman56]

On monday the chicks turned 5 weeks old, they are now getting no supplemental heat in the coop.
I was wondering what you all think about starting to let them out in the main chicken run? With the older hens,
(supervised for sure)
Or should I wait for another week

I have put some pallets in the run up on logs so the little ones can get under , but the big one cant, I have pallet leaning against the fence so they can get behind it,
My run is 25'x50'
I also thought about letting them out when the big ones are out to free range, but they all stay pretty close to the run.

 

[aart]

Without scrolling back thru all the pics, I thought you had a separate run attached to your brooder area?
Have they mingled at all with the older birds?
You've 2 things to consider, can they get back up the ramp to their coop and mingling with the older birds....I'd not do both at once.

 

[junkman56]

Yes I do have a separate run for the chicks. They have been out in it with the older hens close by,

 

[junkman56]

Here are a few pics of the enclosed run.

 

[aart]

Ok, Cool....yep, that's what I remember seeing.
I'd open that door between runs just enough for the chicks but not enough for the hens.

 

[junkman56]

I cut a piece of plywood for the bottom of the screen door and made an opening in it 5x7, so the chicks can get to the hens part of the coop, and back to their safety zone. I also propped open the door from the little run to the nig run. So now if they venture out to the big run and get chased into the hens pop door they wont be cornered, they can get in the opening to their section

 

[aart]

made an opening in it 5x7

That may be big enough for the hens to get thru, it was for mine...
...might have to add a piece of wood to make opening smaller.