How many hours can chicks be alone?

[GardenTeacher]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here.

I am getting chickens to keep at work (I am school garden teacher working out of a 1/2 acre garden.) Since i'm not at school on the weekends, we decided that it would be best to brood the 10 chicks in my home before bringing them out to their new permanent home. I have cleared the first few days to stay home with the ladies (i know that the first few days are most critical) but after that i'll have to go back to work. I have seen some books that suggest you check on the chickens every 2-3 hours for the first month. I can have my neighbor check on them a few times a day but I don't know about every few hours... How many hours can chickens be alone? I will make sure they are well stocked with water and food. Any insights here, team? Thank you!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Chicks will be fine alone all day or night as long as they have food/water/heat (I like two heat lights in case one bulb burns out). You'd don't need to check them every couple of hours. The only time they would need checked that often is if they are sick or stressed, like maybe the first day or so you have them if they had a rough trip or are weak... then it is helpful to be sure they are drinking/eating etc. I don't know anyone that checks on chicks every couple of hours for a month....

 

[ChickenCanoe]

~~Though it is good to check on them throughout the day.

Well managed with a good setup, they can be alone forever.

If the water is able to be kept full and is situated where they can't soil it or kick bedding into it - that's taken care of.
If the feeder has sufficient feed for the length of time away and it also can't have bedding kicked in - that's a go.
The other issue, warmth - 2 heat sources (in case one is lost) and sufficient space so they can find a cooler area - that's good.
The other critical things are good ventilation and predator protection.

The first few times you need to check them frequently till you work out the bugs in your system. After that, they're pretty independent.\

ETA
If your setup is right, the only thing you need to check is for pasted vent. That should be done at least daily. If no pasty vent then you're good to go.

 

[Odelia]

They will be fine. I would not take time off of work to watch them. Yes they are cute and cuddly so it would not be terrible to get to stay home and play with chicks, but they don't need that much care. The first day is the one that is the most important. You need to see that the brooder is the correct temperature. That the chicks have found the food and water. If the water dish is large enough for them to get themselves wet in it I would suggest putting something like marbles or small rocks in it. That way they can drink without getting wet which would make them cold. In worse case scenarios they can drown themselves. After they are settled you can check them in the morning when you get up. When you come home from work, and before bedtime. That is more than sufficient. Good luck with your new project.

 

[swimM4r]

I agree with Kelsie. I just raised nine baby chicks, and am now coming up on 3 months with no issues. I myself had to work all the days i owned them except weekends. There first few days with me, they were left alone at home during work. Food, water and heat is all they need. Dont read to much into it, they are chickens not babies. They are happy soaking in the heat from the lamps chomping away at food all day. One thing to check on though is food and water consumption. they will get quite the appetite in the coming weeks. Thats a good idea doubling up the heat lamp, bulbs should last for a while but you never know and small chicks need the heat. They are pretty independent creatures and dont really need your attention like an average pet.

 

[swimM4r]

dip their beaks in the water and they will remember.

 

[Cluck Wild Farm]

I only check on mine once a day if I'm pressed for time, to make sure their food, and water are full, and everyone is alive and well. If I have time, I'll sit and play with them, but its not necessary to do every day.

 

[GardenTeacher]

Thanks so much, everyone! You put my mind at ease.

 

[Odelia]

You might find this helpful. It is an article on how to socialize your chicks. As these chickens are for a school I assume you want them to like interacting with people.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens

 

[GardenTeacher]

Odelia, that article is great! thank you. I have been reading a lot about socializing them. It is definitely a major priority.