How do you know if the babies will be ok?

[maddieandmomma]

i just brought out the 24 chicks I bought a few weeks ago and my hen and rooster seem to be doing ok. The have chased a few times and tried pecking a few times but it's been 2 hours and they seem ok. How do I know when's it's safe to leave the coop and barn?

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[maddieandmomma]

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would not run a heat lamp where the older chickens can knock it over or fly into it and cause a fire.

Mine don't go to the coop until they are done with extra heat. Then they get put in a separate pen for a while, where they can be seen but not get hurt. After I start mixing them my young ones go in their own area for a few more weeks.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Agrees with OHLD...that lamp could be dangerous...and it's not positioned where the chicks will benefit much anyway.

I'd remove the lamp and tip that tote on it's side so the chicks can huddle inside for a wind break.

As to whether the older birds will attack the the chicks, I dunno, I introduce new chicks to main flock while they are separated by wire.

 

[maddieandmomma]

Update: I put up a makeshift wall because I can put up a fence and the walls are wood boards (previously used as a horse stall). The light I had up was there all winter for my older, it is secured to the roof so it can fall down. I was out checking in everyone at 6am and all was good. My hen even decided to lay an egg last night even with all the commotion. I am guessing that the babies are about 7 weeks old but I don't know for sure and we are still in the 40's at night so I didn't want to move them yet but they have out grown the space I had for them on the porch. I guess I should have had a little more self control but when I saw so many on sale for 50 cents I could help myself!

 

[aart]

Update: I put up a makeshift wall because I can put up a fence and the walls are wood boards (previously used as a horse stall). The light I had up was there all winter for my older, it is secured to the roof so it can fall down. I was out checking in everyone at 6am and all was good. My hen even decided to lay an egg last night even with all the commotion. I am guessing that the babies are about 7 weeks old but I don't know for sure and we are still in the 40's at night so I didn't want to move them yet but they have out grown the space I had for them on the porch. I guess I should have had a little more self control but when I saw so many on sale for 50 cents I could help myself!

Sounds like you've got it working well.
At 7 weeks they shouldn't need heat anyway, if they have a dry and draft free are to sleep in.