Housing for my chicks until permanent coop is in place?

[lmcelroy]

I live in Pennsylvania, (right now it's snowing!) and have 5 chicks that are one week old. For now they are in the house in a brooder cage with a heat lamp. I ordered a coop that won't be ready until mid-May, yikes! Around here, that is when the danger of frost is over.

Any suggestions from the experienced folks as to good intermediary housing once they are feathered?

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC! How big is your brooder?

 

[lmcelroy]

It's a 30 x 24 x 24 wire cage, as recommended by the feed store. I'm guessing they can't be in this for too long.

 

[trudyg]

Do a little research on chicken tractors. They are easily built and can be inexpensive. You make a frame of a size that can be easily moved and, at one end, close it in enough to provide weather protection. Add a roost. Done. As they graze and eat a patch of yard, you simply drag it to a new spot, leaving poop behind. This can be 2' high by 8' long by 4' wide (standard lumber is 8'). Cover it with wire (1/2" spacing is good). Easy to move, lift an end to put food and water under. Predators CAN get in easily, too, so consider something to weigh it down with and maybe spread some of the wire along the bottom edges to prevent digging under to get in. I use wires shaped like upside down U's as staples to secure the wire. Lots of good ideas here, find what works for you.