Can I move 3-weekers out to the coop?

[AngieB]

I think the brooder is getting too small for my 12 chicks, the dust in the house is gettting bad, and they are starting to stink! We love our chicks, but we are ready to move them out. The inside of the coop is finished, and it's beautiful - I will post some pics soon!

So is there any reason I shouldn't move them out there, with a couple of heat lamps? I'm in Michigan, and we are still gettting cold temps at night, like 40's. So the coop will be very cool inside, (I think it's 10 ' by 12'). So we wouldn't heat the whole coop, but provide 2 heat lamps that they can stay near when they want to. And we wouldn't give them access to go outside yet.

Does that sound like an okay plan?

 

[dappertophatter]

They'll be perfectly fine. Just make sure it isn't drafty inside. Good luck!

 

[PunkinPeep]

Yes, it sounds like a great plan.

I am assuming they are the only chickens - no older flock to contend with.

As long as they have access to the heat when it's cold, they'll be just fine. And they'll be ecstatic about all the new space.

 

[AngieB]

Thanks!

Yep, they are our only chickens. I can't wait to see how they act with all the room and new space to explore!

Their roost in the coop seems kind of high to me for them right now, but there is a ladder going up to it. We were thinking of putting one heat lamp up over the roost in case any of them want to try it, and one heat lamp closer to the floor for anyone who is not brave enough to go up there yet. We have a little roost in their brooder that some of them sleep on in. So we could put that on the floor of the new coop for anyone who isn't ready to venture up.

Does that sound good too?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Just be really sure to secure the heat lamps really well. Those clamps come loose unreasonably easily, and that can cause a fire in a hurry.

I wouldn't expect those babies to try a high roost for several more weeks, but it would be cool if they did.