Inside chicks. How often do you let them out of brooder?

Nicole01

Crowing
8 Years
Mar 28, 2011
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MN
I take the girls out of the brooder and into the kitchen for treats and roaming time. We sit and let them on our laps too. I usually take them out 5-6 times everyday. Usually around the same time. They love to explore.
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I've brought them out since the day after I brought them home. They were about a week old. However, they didn't stay out as long as they do now. I usually hold Maple(1wk old) after 10-15 minutes in my arms to sleep. She let's me know when she has had enough. The older ones are around 2 weeks. They stay out for about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes a time. They love it.

I never had a problem with them slipping.
 
Around two weeks old is when I start taking mine outside on warm, sunny days. It's good for them to be exposed to their future enviroment. If they get cold, they'll start huddling and peeping loudly to let you know they need a warm up.

On the other hand, my broody had her week old chicks outside when there was still snow on the ground.
 
I can't take them outside yet. It's too cold and their feathers are not grown in. It is warming up and they will go outside soon.
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. I'm going on a bug hunt for them in a few minutes. Hopefully I will find something good.
 
Thanks you guys!

I've heard they can get splayed legs from slipping (?). Any knowledge of that?
Also, I am impressed your chick is falling asleep in your arms. Mine are mostly running away from me in the brooder though there is one that approaches regularly. I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time with them; work sometimes inhibits this. I figure the more handling, as you are doing, the better.
I placed some crumbles in my hand yesterday in hopes that they will associate me with a good thing. After a couple of minutes, a few were comfortably pecking.
Any words of wisdom for making them more people comfortable?
 
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Yes, they can. I'm pretty sure it happens from using newspaper in the brooder vs pine bedding. I do spend a lot of time with my chicks, even when there in the brooder. If I don't have a treat in my hand, I will put starter feed and let them eat. I always pick them up too. They won't run away unless I move my hand too quickly. I use ground up rolled oats and 100% homemade wheat bread for their treats with an occasional bug. I went to buy mealworms, but no one has them in yet.
 
goodeggsforyou, the more you handle them the more they'll be accustomed to you. From the very first day, we handle our chicks on a schedule we call "hand time." Several times, around the clock, stroking them and holding them so that they know who Mommy and Daddy are, and, eventually, who their "big brothers" are. Some chicks, especially those from more active breeds, may resist, but if you start them young they can be trained easily. We have some older birds who love being held because they became accustomed to it as little chicks. But you're right, floors are usually too slippery for new hatches.

One thing we also do is, once new chicks are used to their brooder, at about a week or two of age, we'll give them a treat by scattering mealworms in their brooder. We do this for a couple of days. Then, we don't scatter the mealworms any more... we lower a handful of them so that the chicks come to us. During hand time, after being held and stroked we give the chicks one or two mealworms as a treat for allowing us to hold them. By the time they are four weeks old, they not only rush towards you when you approach the brooder, they'll follow your hands in the brooder and be happy to be held, even if you don't give them treats (we start reducing their individual treats at four weeks). Good luck!
 
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Mine also watch me from a distance in the brooder with the exception of one. This little one runs right over to my hand and checks me out. Even if I am just peeking into the brooder the same little chick comes over to see me. They are all 2 days old today. They are all pullets, I am told. This one chick just acts so independent. Any thoughts?
 

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