How long do chickens need to stay in brooder?

[Trey B]

I'm with LG. A few years ago, many of us learned about the heating pad system of brooding and took it a step further and began brooding right outside in coop and run since the heating pad cave so closely mimics a broody hen.

So, in answer to your question, you do not ever have to brood in a container indoors. In fact, after I did it for the first time, I saw so many benefits I never realized were possible, I will never go back to putting baby chicks through the oppressive confinement of being brooded in a box under a hot light.

I wrote up an article about brooding outdoors linked below.

Did you have any issues with the hens or rooster disturbing or pecking at the pullets?

I have a three stage set up right now and it's kinda driving me crazy haha. One for pullets indoors under a lamp, one transition outdoor coop for my middle stage birds, and then a large outdoor coop, run and free range pasture for my adult birds.

Just have been worried about transitioning young birds to my large flock as I have some hens that can be nasty.

 

[lazy gardener]

As long as they have plenty of room, many of us have found that early integration is better than waiting until they are full sized. Lil peeps are not perceived to be a threat to the pecking order. Once they've got their cluck, the hens seem more inclined to see them as a threat and really lay on the aggression IMO. I like to get my integration completed before they are 10 weeks old. Some do it earlier, but I do it starting when they come off heat at 4 - 5 weeks of age. Starting integration when birds are free ranging is a wonderful way to initiate.

 

[azygous]

The small chicks manage to be fast and agile at avoiding overbearing adults as long as they have plenty of space to maneuver and there are no boxed in places where they can get trapped.

I happen to have a complex run that's divided by partitions. When I brood in the run, it's in one of these partitioned spaces for the safety of the chicks. Once they reach age two weeks, they get to mingle with the adults, exploring the rest of the run through small chick openings installed in the partitions. Chicks always have an escape along the partitions.

In addition, there are stumps and shelves, and even a swing to escape vertically. Chicks only get into trouble when the space is too small and there are no escapes when pursued.

For pictures of these partitions and chick openings see this article. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/r...rooder-and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors

 

[Gail Laubenthal]

Did you have any issues with the hens or rooster disturbing or pecking at the pullets?

I have a three stage set up right now and it's kinda driving me crazy haha. One for pullets indoors under a lamp, one transition outdoor coop for my middle stage birds, and then a large outdoor coop, run and free range pasture for my adult birds.

Just have been worried about transitioning young birds to my large flock as I have some hens that can be nasty.

What I have found is that these young pullets are very fast and stay together when let out. Yes, there is a little pecking, but not enough to injure or kill them. I do observe the flock when I let them out for a "visit", but haven't had to intervene much.

 

[Gail Laubenthal]

The small chicks manage to be fast and agile at avoiding overbearing adults as long as they have plenty of space to maneuver and there are no boxed in places where they can get trapped.

I happen to have a complex run that's divided by partitions. When I brood in the run, it's in one of these partitioned spaces for the safety of the chicks. Once they reach age two weeks, they get to mingle with the adults, exploring the rest of the run through small chick openings installed in the partitions. Chicks always have an escape along the partitions.

In addition, there are stumps and shelves, and even a swing to escape vertically. Chicks only get into trouble when the space is too small and there are no escapes when pursued.

For pictures of these partitions and chick openings see this article. http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/r...rooder-and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors

I agree with them needing space to run and hid. I have never let them mingle at 2 weeks, but since my middle brooder is in the large coop, they do get safe time to mingle but only through the bars of the dog kennel brooder.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A dominant rooster pecking the chicks, no not the young ones. He assumes they are his and is likely to protect them not harm them. If they are older to the point that they might be considered rivals when he first meets them it can happen. I agree younger is better.

Hens pecking chicks, some but almost never to kill or injure. What usually happens is that the chick invades the personal space of a hen. She pecks it to teach it that it is bad chicken etiquette for it to bother her. It runs away. They quickly learn to not bother the hens. The chicks quickly learn to form a sub-flock and avoid the adult hens.

On extremely rare occasions you can get a hen that is a true brute. She will purposely hurt the chicks. I guess you could get a dominant rooster that does that too but that would be even more rare. They are living animals, it is possible you could get one that is just not right in the head. I've been doing this a while and I've never lost a chick to another adult flock member.

Non-dominant roosters and immature cockerels fall more in line with the hens. It's still rare but it can happen.

As always I have to say the more space you have the better. They need room to run away and get away. They need room to avoid them in the first place.

 

[Blooie]

Put me down in the column for raising chicks outdoors in full sight of the older birds! I raised mine in a wire enclosure within the run, using the portal doors that @azygous linked to, and Mama Heating Pad for cover and warmth, as others have talked about. If you opt to brood outdoors (highly recommended for acclimating chicks, building natural immunities, and avoiding chick dust in the human house for weeks) you can choose MHP, commercial warming plates (Eco-Glo, etc) or a heat lamp, but whatever you choose, be smart! If you use MHP, make sure it's the right one, that the cord is protected, and that it's a newer heating pad in perfect working order. If you use a lamp, secure it, secure it, and then when you think it's secure, secure it again! When using any appliance that produces heat, caution and a good dose of good old common sense will be your best friends! Good luck!!

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

 

[Saaniya]

till they are fully feathered and strong enough to run and roost .

 

[chickwhisperer 17]

I have chicks that are 5-6 weeks old and they just moved into their brand new coop for first time. Planning on leaving them in there but temps are going down to low 50's tonight. Any suggestions

 

[Ridgerunner]

Get a bowl of vanilla ice cream, add your favorite fruit, and enjoy. Relax and enjoy yourself, they will be fine.

Yeah I know, easier said than done. But they will be fine. Mine have gone through nights in the mid 20's at that age without problems.