First Time Chick Mom

[DogMom2ChickMom]

Okay so I’ve read just about everything known to man about the brooder, raising chicks for the first time etc. However… we will not be having a brooder inside and yes we’re converting the labs baby crate into a brooder. We have literally everything for them I just wanted to get feedback on enclosing the bottom half of the crate so their cute little butts can’t squeeze out AND keep the draft out; however as you can see the dog crate is IN the coop. This bad boy is very well built so I’m just asking for clarity on ensuring they can’t squeeze out.

Yes we have a camera installed inside and yes it’s the dogs furbo treat camera dispenser… repurposing my friends.

Last note we live near Helen, Georgia

Best chicken momma advice please!!!

 

[DobieLover]

Brood them directly in the coop with a brooder plate and don't use the crate. When they are old enough, around 3-4 weeks, teach them how to use the ramp that you need to install from the pop door to the run. You will have to watch them carefully if it gets too cold to make sure they know to go back into the coop to get warm.
And then they will learn how to fly up to the branches/perches you are going to install in the run.
What size in the run?

 

[Debbie292d]

Here is an article written by our own @TwoCrows on brooding chicks for their first six weeks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/brooding-chicks-the-first-6-weeks.74640/

 

[DogMom2ChickMom]

Brood them directly in the coop with a brooder plate and don't use the crate. When they are old enough, around 3-4 weeks, teach them how to use the ramp that you need to install from the pop door to the run. You will have to watch them carefully if it gets too cold to make sure they know to go back into the coop to get warm.
And then they will learn how to fly up to the branches/perches you are going to install in the run.
What size in the run

 

[DogMom2ChickMom]

Thank you!!

Brood them directly in the coop with a brooder plate and don't use the crate. When they are old enough, around 3-4 weeks, teach them how to use the ramp that you need to install from the pop door to the run. You will have to watch them carefully if it gets too cold to make sure they know to go back into the coop to get warm.
And then they will learn how to fly up to the branches/perches you are going to install in the run.
What size in the run?

The entire coop and run is 6x12 the coop is 4x4ish (we made some modifications.

I way I can totally do it without the crate?!? That’s so awesome. We have t installed perches yet.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The entire coop and run is 6x12 the coop is 4x4ish (we made some modifications.

I way I can totally do it without the crate?!? That’s so awesome. We have t installed perches yet.

Roosts aren't necessary and run doesn't have to be finished for brooding, you just need the coop finished enough that it's predator proof so nothing gets in and the chicks don't squirt out.