Day old Chicks advice please

[SueT]

Hi, it's good to see an update! It sounds like it's going well. I have never had more than 6 chickens at a time, so you are ahead of me!
It's good that you have a large brooder, do they have any little roosts in there? They will like jumping onto roosts at some point. You can use small branches if you have any, even just set them on the floor.
I think I moved my chicks out to the big coop around 4 weeks, when they were well feathered. It may depend on the weather for you since you got them early in the year.
As for coop size, it is likely to be too small. Here is a good article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need
With 13 chickens, you will probably want more than one roost in the coop. I don't know if you will need more nest boxes. They say one box per 4 hens. Several will use the same box, they actually will wait in line for their favorite.
While you are getting ready to integrate them together, you might want to read articles on introducing newcomers to the flock. Often they don't get along and it's good to temporarily divide their shared space ("see but don't touch" method). There are many good suggestions on how to integrate youngsters with the older ones, in several different forums. It will probably be to the chicks' advantage that they outnumber the older girls.
Good luck and update us!

 

[azygous]

We all can always use a bigger coop, but you really need one. Four by four is only big enough for four chickens and that's pushing it. You need to consider adequate roosting space and room for them to fly up and room to dismount without bashing their heads into the opposite wall as they jump down off the perch.

Run space is even more important. You could begin introducing your chicks to the older chickens right away using a safe pen in the run, if you have one. The coop is too small to do it in there.

Integrating chicks into the flock is easiest if you begin them right away. Waiting until they grow large makes them a threat and it's harder on all the chickens.

 

[debleew1]

Hi Sue

Thanks for your advice you are always encouraging and have given me really useful practical advice ! I am figuring that I need another coop, I was advised that 16 square foot was big enough in the coop but it seems its not. The roost perch is 4foot long and I can easily put another few in, the four hens I have are squishing together in in less than a foot I don't know how they are doing it when there's all that space but then they are all laying in the same box as well when there's three to pick from. Anyhow its build another coop time I shall just put them side by side. I cant introduce the chicks yet as it Northern Ireland and still wet and cold!! I will build a pen with in the range and they can see each other when they get to a better size at the moment they are only 9 days old. Though very precocious as you can see. today they have been stretching and flapping all over the place. Anyway the rain has stopped so am off for a quick walk before it sets in again. Thanks Deb

 

[SueT]

Hi Deb,
Altho 4 sq ft per chicken is promoted as ideal, many people do go with less, especially if the chickens won't be spending much time inside the coop. In this article, people talk about having only 2 sq. ft. per bird... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/666811/4-square-feet-per-chicken
I have a big 5X9 shed for currently only 4 birds, but my daughter has 3 in a tiny tiny store bought coop. Hers merely sleep in there, all crammed together, whereas mine often go inside to hang out. I'll ask my daughter what size their coop is inside.
You can probably find multiple forums discussing this subject and find others who successfully incorporated their chickens into a small coop.
I like seeing your photos. Your chicks are beginning to grow feathers, weather will get warmer, and azygous' advice may be a very good idea--at least let them begin to visit thru a divided space while they are small.
Here is a pic of our latest 2 pullets meeting the big girls last May ...we only had 2 babies and they actually were in our house meeting thru the screen door.

 

[debleew1]

thanks again for that really useful link. I let the big girls out at 6am every morning and they only go back in to use the nest box and the eggs currently are always there warm by 1030. after than they don't bother to go in until 1945 ish and I usually lock them up about 2000 but obviously this time is growing everyday. Because the coop is on legs we made it sheltered so they have a shady and wind proof area out of the rain and that's where they hand out when it raining even though they have access to the coop all the time. I feel pretty confident that these four are well catered for, most days I go and sit with them for a while and two are happy to jump on my knee for treats (only a few) the other two will take them from me but aren't as confident. We started work on a outdoor pen for the chicks which in a week or so on a nice day I will put on the grass to introduce anyone. I only intended to get four chicks but was told by lots of people I would probably lose a few so I over indulged and so far they are all doing really well hence my larger than predicted number. Its not a problem to build another coop but I don't think it needs to be as big as this one as they only sleep in in. I block off two of the three nest boxes at night as they were sleeping in them, for a few nights I was super nanny putting them back on their roosting bar every time they got off, any how they now put themselves on the roost so in a night or two I will remove the cover from the nesting boxes I take it out at 6am anyhow but hopefully lesson is now learnt!!?

I did what you said and put some branches in with the chicks and they have spent the day hoping on and off them cheers Deb PS love your pics.

 

[donaltman3]

is a brooder nessasary? I have a coop that i purchased from taractor supply that i could keep the chicks in with a heat lamp and just close the acess so they cant go into the run area. I could put anheat lamp in it. I don't mind small brooder though just not sure why one is needed? Ps. I do not have any other chickens and this is our first time going to try them.

 

[SueT]

Donaltman, first welcome to BYC. I don't see why your coop can't be used as a brooder. Many people do brood in their coops of various sizes. As long as the chicks are safe, have food and water, and the temperature is right for them, it should be okay. May I suggest you check out the Learning Center-- https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
Good luck!
Sue

 

[donaltman3]

Thanks Sue! I thought I could but didnt know if I was missing something. This is not my coop but purchased the same one. I can easily pit a heat source and food water inside and keep them chicks inside house part while the grow.