How does my mama heating pad look?

[schambo]

Update: moved them outside today, and they seem to be doing great exploring the outdoor brooder. They’re spending a lot of time out from under MHP, so I hope they’re not getting chilled! It’s about 50°F here right now at midday.

 

[KRack]

Update: moved them outside today, and they seem to be doing great exploring the outdoor brooder. They’re spending a lot of time out from under MHP, so I hope they’re not getting chilled! It’s about 50°F here right now at midday.View attachment 3497537View attachment 3497539

How cold does it get at night time? I didn’t think I could put mine outside until they’re fully feathered, but I guess that’s without the heating pad. Idk the guidelines if you’re using the heating pad, but would like to!

 

[schambo]

How cold does it get at night time? I didn’t think I could put mine outside until they’re fully feathered, but I guess that’s without the heating pad. Idk the guidelines if you’re using the heating pad, but would like to!

Usually it’s between 30 and 40 this time of year, but apparently you can do with with a heating pad. Broody-raised chicks would be sleeping under mama in this weather I guess

 

[RojoMarz]

I just finished up using the MHP with now 4-week olds. Mine went directly to the Coop brooder and we had some temps drop below freezing over night. The MHP was "on" for the first 3 1/2 weeks. As the chicks grew each day, they spend less time under there. At 3 1/2 weeks, I turned off the heat. At 4 weeks the chicks were shut out of the brooder.

 

[schambo]

I just finished up using the MHP with now 4-week olds. Mine went directly to the Coop brooder and we had some temps drop below freezing over night. The MHP was "on" for the first 3 1/2 weeks. As the chicks grew each day, they spend less time under there. At 3 1/2 weeks, I turned off the heat. At 4 weeks the chicks were shut out of the brooder.

So that means that by 4 weeks I can safely integrate them with the flock, as well?

 

[KRack]

So that means that by 4 weeks I can safely integrate them with the flock, as well?

If your flock accepts them. Maybe being around them for the next 4 weeks that’s what will happen! Sometimes they need to be a little bigger before they’re not brutally picked on, but you won’t know if you don’t try. That’s how I do life, anyway.

My adults have taken a while to adjust to younger chickens, so I just watch really closely for a day or two. Doesn’t take long to figure out if it’s too soon in my experience.

 

[rosemarythyme]

When would you move them outside? I’m thinking on Saturday so I can watch how they do during the day? Or is sooner better? I just didn’t want to put them out first thing, because it was already evening by they time I got home with them and they had been under a heat lamp before I got them, so I thought straight to outside would be a bit of a shock.

Glad you were able to move them out, and it sounds like they're adjusting well.

So that means that by 4 weeks I can safely integrate them with the flock, as well?

Possibly. I like to do about 10-14 days of see but no touch, then a supervised introduction. From 2-4 weeks my chicks and adults can mingle in the day, with a safe chick-only area set aside for the chicks, and then around 4 weeks I close up the brooder and move the chicks into the coop as well: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

 

[Captain13]

You might want to integrate them by having a barrier between them and the flock for a bit. Let them see the others and let the others see them but separated by a fence of some type so that the older birds can’t harm them. After they are older, then you can see how well they blend.

 

[RojoMarz]

So that means that by 4 weeks I can safely integrate them with the flock, as well?

Perhaps, yes. Have you seen/read the assorted articles about brooding in the coop? I brooded in the coop. At about 2 1\2 weeks, the chicks were roaming the coop and using their escape door to get back into the brooder. They are now spending all day in the run with the hens. The chicks haven't learned that they need to get into the coop before the pop door closed for the night though.

 

[schambo]

Update: Made it through their first night outside!

Perhaps, yes. Have you seen/read the assorted articles about brooding in the coop? I brooded in the coop. At about 2 1\2 weeks, the chicks were roaming the coop and using their escape door to get back into the brooder. They are now spending all day in the run with the hens. The chicks haven't learned that they need to get into the coop before the pop door closed for the night though.

The brooder isn’t quite in the coop or run, but it’s beside it in view of the run, and the adult hens spend much of the day roaming the yard anyway, where they can get right up to inspect the babies.