Do my chicks need more space?

[celliott24]

First time chick mom! I brought 6 chicks home a little less than 2 weeks ago (so they’re somewhere between 2-3 weeks old) and based on research was under the impression that they could stay in a brooder until about 4-5 weeks of age. We’re working on building the backyard coop now - it will be a week or so until it’s complete.

In the meantime, my girls have become VERY active and are constantly, and frantically pecking at the sides of the brooder. Lots of chit-chatty peeping. Lots of scratching and throwing of bedding. Do they need more space? Are they bored? Am I supposed to let them roam in the backyard at all?

This photo was this morning before I went to change their feed and water out, and they were all going a little nuts! Is space too small for 6 chicks?

Thanks, poultry friends!

 

[IvysAnimals]

First time chick mom! I brought 6 chicks home a little less than 2 weeks ago (so they’re somewhere between 2-3 weeks old) and based on research was under the impression that they could stay in a brooder until about 4-5 weeks of age. We’re working on building the backyard coop now - it will be a week or so until it’s complete.

In the meantime, my girls have become VERY active and are constantly, and frantically pecking at the sides of the brooder. Lots of chit-chatty peeping. Lots of scratching and throwing of bedding. Do they need more space? Are they bored? Am I supposed to let them roam in the backyard at all?

This photo was this morning before I went to change their feed and water out, and they were all going a little nuts! Is space too small for 6 chicks?

Thanks, poultry friends!

They definitely will soon. Make sure you're slightly taking the heat away each week so they can get more used to warming themselves for outside. Especially with them being in a plastic tub, they need more space and fresh air They can go outside when they're about 6-10 weeks old, when they're almost / fully feathered! Make sure they're getting plenty of fresh water and food, as well as clean bedding and space to roam. Hope that helps!

 

[Tookie]

That brooder should work until you get the coop done. They shouldn't be bored. You can let them free range, just supervise them at all times while free ranging.

 

[Battlepants]

I would aim to get them into a larger brooder soonish here. They are at the stage where they grow insanely fast and that brooder will become pretty crowded in the upcoming weeks.

As for the boredom, here's a couple ideas to consider:
*Set the litter to be a little deeper - this allows them to scratch and dig a bit better. They don't necessarily need to find anything under it, but it gives them satisfaction to try. If you want to sprinkle some food in their common scratching zones, they may enjoy that too. On a side note, raising the water and food a bit will keep them cleaner while they are scratching.
*Alternative method - grab a chunk of dirt from outside and let them tear this apart.
*Grab a branch from outside that has a bunch of green leaves on it. Initially they will be scared of this new thing, but eventually they will see this as a treat. Always fun to watch them swarm on the leaves.

As for actually going outside, I would probably wait for the time being, they are still kinda small. I'd say around next week, if the weather is nice (around 70-80s), it might be good to have a supervised fieldtrip.

 

[celliott24]

Awesome thank you, everyone! Just want them to be happy and make sure I’m not doing anything wrong. I’ve gradually risen the heat and they haven’t been bothered/effected by it so that’s good! Hopefully they’ll tolerate the smaller space until the coop is built!

The deeper litter idea is great, I’ll give that a whirl this afternoon.

I did take them outside two at a time in 5-10 minute trips and some were totally curious and others were terrified so we’ll work on that. We’re in Alabama so it’s currently 70-90 degrees outside during the day.

A few questions about coop transfer: Do I allow them to go into the run when they’re not quite fully feathered, and then put them all up at sunset? When moved to the coop will they need a heat lamp at night at 4-5 weeks old? Low temps are in the high 60’s/low 70’s at night, 80’s/90’s during the day.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, they need space.

IIRC, it's 1/2 square foot per chick for the first 2 weeks, 1 square foot per chick up to 4-6 weeks, 2 square feet per chick up to 10-12 weeks and the full 4 square feet per bird after that.

My chicks get access to a 4x8 space after the initial period where they are learning where their heat, food, and water is and they make use of every inch.

 

[Battlepants]

I did take them outside two at a time in 5-10 minute trips and some were totally curious and others were terrified so we’ll work on that. We’re in Alabama so it’s currently 70-90 degrees outside during the day.

If possible, try to take the whole lot of 6 out at a time. They are very social creatures, so will do better with their entire group of friends, rather than the separated 2 that might just be looking to find their way back to the group.

A few questions about coop transfer: Do I allow them to go into the run when they’re not quite fully feathered, and then put them all up at sunset? When moved to the coop will they need a heat lamp at night at 4-5 weeks old? Low temps are in the high 60’s/low 70’s at night, 80’s/90’s during the day.

I would generally wait until they are fully feathered before putting them outside full time. However, with with your local temperatures and the number of chicks, they will likely be fine just clustering together in the coop at night by 4-5 weeks.

As for the heat lamp, they should be fine without it. There is also the risk of a fire with heat lamps, so I generally avoid those in the coop entirely. If you wanted, you could provide a heating pad in the coop, but I don't think this will be necessary as long as they have a corner to cuddle up in with their friends to stay warm.

 

[swamphiker]

That brooder is getting to be too small and is likely to be way too small by the time you finish the coop. Chicks usually double in size between 2 and 4 weeks, it happens in the blink of an eye! If they were mine, I would make a DIY brooder out of some cardboard boxes with a waterproof bottom under the bedding.

Given your warm location they should be okay to go outside around 4-5 weeks old, but it's important to wean them off of heat gradually, eventually taking away heat while they are still indoors before transferring them to the outdoor coop. Another thing you can do is to have them outdoors during the day starting at 4 weeks but bring them inside at night while more feathers grow in.

 

[zenstarling]

amazon has a lot of those playpen mesh tents for dogs or cats. they have a mesh top that zippers shut. I “graduated” my chicks into that when they were just under 3 weeks. the plastic tote gets small fast!

they can also spend lots of time outside during the day, when you’re able to be around/supervise and if you have a secure pen for them to play in! I know others free range chicks with supervision but I felt best with mine contained — but hours of access to grass, dirt, fresh air and sunshine.

edited to add, I used a heat plate and they had access to it outside in those early weeks if they needed to warm up. for what it’s worth temps were in the 60s and they rarely used it.

 

[Sally PB]

A large to extra large dog crate works great as a brooder. If the chicks are small enough to get through the bars, putting sheets of corrugated cardboard on the sides (inside) will keep them in, and some of the dust too.

Dog crates aren't cheap, but maybe you have one, or can borrow one.