dust etc for only three chicks in dining room?

[WoodlandWoman]

I have a respiratory problem and can't handle the same amount of dust in the air, of any kind, that healthy people can. As my doctor says, I can't handle particulates.

We got chicks this spring and started them in the living room. We ended up having to move them to the basement by the time they were 2 weeks old and DH had to take care of them, until they could go outside full time. I think we moved them outside with a heat lamp at 4 weeks.

I thought I would be ok longer, since we used aspen instead of pine. That was great, until they started dust bathing in the shavings at only a week old. That put everything into the air! We also have an African grey, who is super dusty. Because of this, we have electronic filtering on our furnace/AC with a pad pre-filter, an ionizer, 2 HEPA filters, and a vacuum cleaner that uses special bags and has a HEPA on it. The chicks were in a plastic tub with solid sides and a mesh top. They still got everything in the air. We had one of the HEPAs right next to them. Anyway, I would have a back-up plan.

 

[ruth]

I'm always the odd egg when it comes to this question but I don't see any reason why you can't put them outside in a hutch with a heat lamp if necessary from day one? I did - with all three batches - one batch in April, one in May, and this last batch 3 weeks ago. The temps in April were 70s during day and 40s at night so at night I used a heat lamp. During the day the hutch was on back deck and gots lots of sunlight. Chicks would spread their wings and take sun baths. Same with batch in May but only needed the light a few nights because night temps were warmer, maybe 60s. If I used the light - they got to far end of hutch away from it as they could so I knew they didn't need it. This last batch went straight to hutch which is now inside fenced run and have never gotten a night light because day temps are 100+ and nights are mid 70s. All three batches free range. My first batch weren't allowed till they were about 4 weeks old. Second batch same. This third batch got to free range starting at one week. If don't open that hutch (Chick-N-Hutch) and let them out each morning they peep so loud and constant I can hear them from inside. They get full use of large run while the big girls free range the woods.

I'm always saying the mother hen would have her chicks running around the farm yard from day one and yeah, she would let them get under her wings if they got cold but that's only for the first week or so and they don't live under her wings. Besides, that's what the heat light/lamp is for.

I just posted a thread telling about just getting home from feed store and the remaining chicks from the batch I bought three weeks ago are still there still in the metal commercial brooder box. They were so fat and huge and could not stand upright because brooder cage was too short. In three weeks they have not seen sunlight or fresh air. In three weeks my chicks have dug more holes, eaten more dirt and grass and bugs, taken more dirt baths and probably have run and flown the equivalent of many miles. It's sad to think of the fun you are depriving them of by keeping them inside in a box of any type. The weather is beautiful - let those babies out as soon as possible. Besides they get to build up their immunities and adjust naturally for the temperature changes. I have never lost a chick to predators (thank God) and we have every type and I have never had a sick bird or one with fleas, lice, or mites.

 

[mac_chooks]

We want them inside so the kids can play with them and get involved in the process. And by kids I guess I'm including myself!

It will make them more like pets and that was my goal (and the eggs). Since DH is so allergic we don't have animals. My 8 year old flinches when a friendly dog wags his tail, as does my 4 year old. They need some exposure to animal movement.

Starting with chicks inside means daily playing with them and a slow familiarization starting with itty bitty fluffy chicks. The later I put them outside the better because then the boys will be interacting with the larger chickens.

Once they are outside during the week will be mostly feed/water and let in or out -- not much more. Weekends and evenings in summer we'll let them 'free range' in the backyard, small as it is, and feed them grapes and all that fun stuff I'm waiting impatiently to do.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I don't have the dust like that with the crushed corn cob bedding. I also use rubbermaid containers that I cut the lid out and cover with screen. I keep mine in my guest room until I feel like moving them outside to the rabbit hutch. I only move them if they get to noisy or If I have 25 and they start to get to crowded in the containers.

 

[Wooden_Pony]

It will make them more like pets and that was my goal (and the eggs). Since DH is so allergic we don't have animals. My 8 year old flinches when a friendly dog wags his tail, as does my 4 year old. They need some exposure to animal movement.

You can bring them on over here

We are also SF Bay Area

A friend had the same problem with her little ones and she want to get them a dog so bad. She started to bring them over here to our zoo, kids, dogs, chickens, African Grey Parrot, fish, and a cat.

I thought for sure her kids were going to pass out when they first walked into our house!!

WHat breed of chicks are you getting or did you post that info already in your first post....

I will have to go and see again!​

 

[motherhen]

I had 4 chicks 2 meats and 2 layers. I kept them in the dining room for the first 2 weeks and then it got stinkier and I moved them down to the reck room I didn't coodle them too much. My kids and I would pet them and feed them treats but I never left the light (40watt) on for heat too long, never over night, however they did get a blanket over the cage to help keep the heat in. They were kept in a dog cage with a piece of cardboard in front of the door 3/4 of the way up to keep the shavings in and the dust. I have asthma and they weren't too bad. I cleaned regularly and the cardboard kept the dust from flying around.
We got them June 13 by Mid july they were moved to the coop and pened off from the other chickens. By end of july the partition was removed and they were in with the other 3 banty chickens. They mostly got along and were fine. The sooner they got used to the climate the better the more prepared they were.
I love them and will be getting more next spring, that's when the feed store takes the orders.