Day olds with establish flock?

[rosemarythyme]

Do you mind me asking how they do without the heat at 10-14 days? I'm not too worried about my bigger girls hurting them but am worried that because if the run size they would get lost and vet too cold.

They still have heat available at 10-14 days, but they usually don't choose to use it. I have a mama heating pad in the brooder and the chicks can go in and out as they please. Generally they're out, but if they're tired and want to sleep, they'll return to the heating pad for nap time.

I don't fully give them access to the adult area (total 525 sq ft) until around 14 days, which is when I put in the panic openings and chase them around to ensure they know how to duck in if pursued. Haven't had a chick get "lost" at that age, even though I move the brooder around the run periodically.

 

[Mamatomany123]

They still have heat available at 10-14 days, but they usually don't choose to use it. I have a mama heating pad in the brooder and the chicks can go in and out as they please. Generally they're out, but if they're tired and want to sleep, they'll return to the heating pad for nap time.

I don't fully give them access to the adult area (total 525 sq ft) until around 14 days, which is when I put in the panic openings and chase them around to ensure they know how to duck in if pursued. Haven't had a chick get "lost" at that age, even though I move the brooder around the run periodically.

I think mine get lost because it's a bit bigger (825 sq ft) and I have a few tree limbs, pallets, and chairs in there. My last batch of chicks got lost in the branches of the tree limbs . Right now I have them in the run but in a large dog crate with HC around the sides. We are 90 today so I didnt add heat and have been checking them throughout the day. They sure are loving the dirt.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think mine get lost because it's a bit bigger (825 sq ft) and I have a few tree limbs, pallets, and chairs in there. My last batch of chicks got lost in the branches of the tree limbs . Right now I have them in the run but in a large dog crate with HC around the sides. We are 90 today so I didnt add heat and have been checking them throughout the day. They sure are loving the dirt.

I have a lot of clutter for mine to hide behind, so occasionally they get chased somewhere odd, but they've never had an issue in finding their way back.

You could maybe block off part of the run for them at first, to get used to the big increase in space. Get some temporary fencing (chicken wire, deer fence, etc) to section off an area, and after they get used to it for a few days, you can try elevating that a few inches so they can safely run in and out without adults getting to them, and then the fence can come down entirely after a few more days. I use chicken wire so they can interact with the adults more closely for about 4 days before I actually cut them loose.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I have a lot of clutter for mine to hide behind, so occasionally they get chased somewhere odd, but they've never had an issue in finding their way back.

You could maybe block off part of the run for them at first, to get used to the big increase in space. Get some temporary fencing (chicken wire, deer fence, etc) to section off an area, and after they get used to it for a few days, you can try elevating that a few inches so they can safely run in and out without adults getting to them, and then the fence can come down entirely after a few more days. I use chicken wire so they can interact with the adults more closely for about 4 days before I actually cut them loose.


View attachment 2605912

I may try this. I usually let them loose in the run around 4 weeks old and they have an old wagon that's lifted just enough for them to fit under but not the big girls. But it would be nice to let them out now rather than another 2 weeks from now. Poor things just stare out of the brooder watching the big girls. I can tell they want more freedom. Thanks for answering my questions. 1

 

[Mamatomany123]

I have a lot of clutter for mine to hide behind, so occasionally they get chased somewhere odd, but they've never had an issue in finding their way back.

You could maybe block off part of the run for them at first, to get used to the big increase in space. Get some temporary fencing (chicken wire, deer fence, etc) to section off an area, and after they get used to it for a few days, you can try elevating that a few inches so they can safely run in and out without adults getting to them, and then the fence can come down entirely after a few more days. I use chicken wire so they can interact with the adults more closely for about 4 days before I actually cut them loose.


View attachment 2605912

Ok, I got a temporary setup for now. Were in the 90s the nest few days so I figured they could run around this covered area and I'll put them in the brooder at night inside the coop. I watched for about an hr and theyve figured out not to get to close to the netting or else theyll get a peck from the big girls. I'm going to get the crate and heat lamp (not plugged in) out of there but baby needs a nap so that will have to wait. They seem to be enjoying themselves and keep flying everywhere

Also want to add I wrapped the netting around the pallets also so I dont have to worry about them escaping through those.