Can I separate into 2 brooders?

[Qi Chicken]

I have my 16 chicks in a cardboard brooder that is 2.5 by 3.5 and about 2.5 feet tall. They are going on 3 weeks and seem to be getting crowded. The coop isn't done and it's still cold so they will be in there 2 more weeks?

I was thinking of making them another one the same size (it's just a washing machine box) and putting half in one and half in another. I don't want to have problems when I re-integrate them.

Question: Should I mix them up periodically so they all know eachother? How often? Like switch them out every 3 or 4 days? Or would that upset them?

Thanks for the help?

 

[raimnel]

hmmmmm just an idea......... could you maybe put the boxes next to each other..................... cut holes in the sides of each box the shape of a small n, cutting the sides and top, leaving the bottom.......... then fold the flap down over the other boxes hole............. to create a passage way from one box to the other??? know what I mean?? that way the have access to both boxes and can be as crowded as they want to be. make any sense?

 

[Qi Chicken]

Good idea! They are in our mudroom so the space will be tight but maybe I could make kind of an L shaped thing. I do think that would be better. They are flying and running like crazy now.

Would I have to get another heat lamp? They are at about 80-85 now. I could keep the heatlamp above the one box like it always has been.

Thanks for the idea!

Anne

 

[raimnel]

you can try above just one and see how that works, maybe between the 2, just watch so that the box doesn't get to hot

 

[ZooMummzy]

Sounds like a good plan! I've always ended up separating my chicks into two or more brooders as they age. They all seem to mesh back together in the end so I haven't worried about it. There is a definite "grouping" by brooders when they go outside, but all get along fine in the end. Good luck!