Can I put chicks in the coop?

[kchopper]

First off, great forum! We have decide that we want to start raising chickens for eggs and I just want to make sure we have all out i's dotted and t's crossed. I have read alot on here about people raising there chicks in the house or garage with a heat a lamp, putting them in a box, rubbermaid container, etc.. Is it possible to put them in the chicken coop right away assuming it's draft free with a heat lamp? Or do they have to been in a brooder type setting? Or can I keep them in the coop but keep them in a confined area? Our coop will be approx. 6x12 feet. Probably get approx. 15 chicks. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome

to

the

forum!

Glad

you

found

us!

I do mine in the coop but in a confined space for the first few weeks. Really young chicks may not know enough to go to the heat when they need it. After a few days they figure that part out. Another reason is that the heat lamp is a fire danger. I feel I can control that risk better in a smaller enclosed space. Also, they need to be in a draft-free area. I can put a draft guard (a sheet of plastic, maybe some cardboard) around them in a smaller space. Depending on nighttime lows I take out the brooder and let them have access to the coop area only (with no heat lamp) at about 4 to 5 weeks old. I let them into the enclosed run at 6 to 8 weeks old.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Mine live in a brooder in the barn till four weeks old then they go to the coop in a confined area where the flock does the meet and greet at 8 weeks I put them in with the rest of the flock and I have not had 1 die yet (knock on wood) so yes you could raise them up in the coop but it must be a confined area though to big and they may get cold at the end of the 4 weeks you can remove the thing that will be confineing them by that time they should have most of their feathers in and be rady to go outside but you will need to keep an eye on them if you allow them to free range.

Hello and

from the great state of TEXAS were glad you could join us here stop in ofter and besure to askany questions you need answers to and Post pics on the Fuzzy butts we love pictures here.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Agreed. I don't brood chicks in the house, never will. Keeping them in a confined space with a doubly secured heat lamp (a chain and zip ties) in a outbuilding works for us.