Chicks are getting to big for box

[jsbyers]

Well I am in a pickle as they say. In my excitement to get chicks this year since my wife and I moved to the country, we bought chicks as soon as Tractor Supply had them. In my mind I would have them in their box for a couple of weeks and then I would move them to their coop. Well it is going on the 4th week and and they are busting out of there box but it is still in the 20's and 30's at night. Can I still put them out there with a couple of heat lamps or what. I guess you live and learn. Thanks in advance.

 

[Duckopolis]

That is too cold for baby chicks. If you put them outside with heat lamps, you must make sure that they are safe from predators. I solution that is easier than that is to put a cover on you brooder. Some chicken wire help down with a few pins in my solution. I use this for my quail. Hope this helps!

 

[jsbyers]

My coop is safe if I can ever get them out there. The coop is built inside my pole barn with a run to the outside. I think you are right though, I think I will try the chicken wire on top. What temp is it safe and how old should they be to put them out? Thanks

 

[jeepchick]

As unhelpful as this might be....a bigger box with a cover....I usually start moving mine outside pretty soon but not this year apparently. If you have a secure place for them outside set it all up with heat etc and put a thermometer in.Monitor the temp over night and see if it stays warm all night inside it. If it stays cozy ship those stinky little buggers out the door. I have about 200 chicks in the baasement right now....I feel your pain lol

 

[jsbyers]

I don't feel so bad now if you are dealing with 200 chicks I have 16 and they are getting pretty big going into their fourth week. I will set it up and get a high/low thermometer and see how it does. Thanks for the help

 

[jeepchick]

I actually have a thermometer set up to monitor my baby goats room temp and I use one of those indoor/outdoor digital ones. You can pick up a wireless one for 10 or 20 bucks I think. Put the outdoor sensor where the chicks will be and save yourself from having to keep going outside to check it I hate the cold!

 

[Duckopolis]

The more chicks that you have, the cooler it can be. They help keep each other warm. For 4 week old chickens, an 80 degree temp is safe. I put my chicken outside when they are about six weeks old depending on the season.

 

[Stoili]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/864312/how-im-raising-my-chicks

They can go out in the coop. Read my post at the link above.

Good luck

 

[mtinney]

I put some deer netting over the top of my brooder box clothes pinned to the corners. I was afraid my 6 3week old golden comets would fly out. Hope they can stay in for another 3 weeks. Built my coop last fall, but need the ground to thaw before putting up a run.

 

[rfeyer]

Question,

our chicks are currently one week old. The box they are in is about 20 inches tall.

When will that be a problem with flight?

Rainer