HOLE SIZE

[mpoland33]

I have some new chicks (5 weeks now) that will in a few weeks, join the rest of the group. I had a raised coop with an area underneath and a run. I've decided I want to make a 2nd coop underneath the 1st coop, with a door of some sort for the youngings to come out and take a look around and if they get picked on or whatever, they can get back in. Has anyone done this? Pictures? Mybig question is how big the door size needs to be for a 6-8 week chicken to get in but that will keep the old hens out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

By that age it's kind of tough to do a panic door, especially if your adult flock has different sized birds. A small or slender enough hen can almost squeeze into an opening big enough for a large 8 week old chick.

I guess you can experiment with cardboard and maybe some treats, and try cutting different openings? Aart has some good example of panic doors (though for younger birds): https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[pibb]

If you did find a size that worked, it would have to be almost too little for the 8 week old to squeeze through.

 

[mpoland33]

I guess I didnt realize how close in size the 6-8 week olds are to adults. That really stinks because I just made the whole setup this morning minus the door

 

[pibb]

You already have most of it made then I'm all for some experimenting. I make stuff too that don't work as expected. Don't give up now. Try carboard cutouts like Rosemarythyme suggested to see how little of a hole they can get through then make your door that size. Keep us updated.

 

[aart]

I have some new chicks (5 weeks now) that will in a few weeks, join the rest of the group. I had a raised coop with an area underneath and a run.

Move them out now...they should be off heat, right?

 

[mpoland33]

Move them out now...they should be off heat, right?

I read after 6 weeks to take off heat. My basement , where they are, is in the mid to low 60's. We've had a cold spurt in MD, down to freezing a few nights and tomorrow night should be the same....then should warm up.

Should I take them off heat now?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Obviously temperature/climate is a factor, but I had my last chicks off heat at 4 weeks, probably around 60s-70s during day and 50s at night at that point.

 

[aart]

I read after 6 weeks to take off heat. My basement , where they are, is in the mid to low 60's. We've had a cold spurt in MD, down to freezing a few nights and tomorrow night should be the same....then should warm up.

Should I take them off heat now?

I try to wean them off the heat as soon as possible.
I keep the heater turned down lower after 2-3 weeks and keep the ambient temp as cool as possible, even cracking open a window in the brooder room...that was when I brooded in the house. Now I have the heater setup in the coop section.

What kind of chick heat are you using in the brooder...and do you have power in the coop?

I guess I didnt realize how close in size the 6-8 week olds are to adults. That really stinks because I just made the whole setup this morning minus the door

Don't despair, the section set up will still be good during integration.

 

[mpoland33]

I only have a heat lamp that I've been raising to higher levels. No electric in the coop. Lows here are in the upper 30's tonight and tomorrow and low 40's Wednesday night...then after that we are in the 50's and 60's as lows for the next week at least.