Is it time to move my chicks?

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. I put my chicks and brooders in their coops. I also put up heat lamps in the beginning. I leave the doors to the brooders open and they can roam the coops. It seems for the first few days they don't want to come out of the brooders, but eventually one brave one will venture out and before long all the rest are following.

 

[Chris623]

Quote:
They are just over 3 weeks old and about 90% feathered. I have Barred Rocks, Black Star and Rhode Island Reds.

I'm not planning on letting them out of the coop into the run until they are feathered. The coop is 4' x 7' inside, so it will just be a larger brooder for them for now. They have enough feathers they should do okay with our night-time temps..........which are in the mid 60's right now. They'll be able to huddle. If the reports are for lower than that, I'll run an extension cord out there and put in a light for some added heat......though I honestly don't think they'll need it. It's still a little cool this morning, so I'll wait until this afternoon to transfer them. Everything is ready in the coop.

 

[gritsar]

Chris, Just MHO here, but they can go outside for playtime with the warm temps. we've been having. Just watch them for signs of chilling, loud peeping and/or huddling.
My chicks were going outside for daily playtime at 2 1/2 weeks old. They love it and it helps to get their immune system off to a good start.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

You've gotten good advice about the chicks going out.

My concern would be 23 growing chicks in a 4' x 7' coop - that's only 23 sq ft - giving them 1.21 sq ft per bird.

I hope you're planning a bigger coop or getting rid of 17 of them.

A coop your size is good for no more than 6 full grown birds.

Good luck with your little ones. Pictures would be nice.

 

[Chris623]

I've shown pics of the coop several times on the forum already, but here's another.

Don't ask me how, but I mis-figured the size of the coop. But, admittedly, I built it with the possibility of selling, it in mind. The coop easily unfastens from the base, and the run can be taken apart, panel by panel, with the 1/2" hardware cloth intact. If it, indeed, turns out to be too small, I can build another. "Wood" is what I do!

 

[Chickenmaven]

Great looking coop. I say - put those chickies out! It is a super-duper day when you can get the stinky little chickies out of your basement or diningroon or wherever!

 

[Chris623]

I will. I want to give them a few days in the coop to consider it the "safe place" so I don't have to chase them all around to put them up at night. I'd much rather they just walk up the ladder.....................and right now the rungs are too far apart for their little legs.

I just finished the much anticipated move. Lot's of screaming going on, but I'm pretty certain they all lived through it. They are quite happy and quiet in the new coop and can stretch their wings sufficiently now. They are flying back and forth enjoying the freedom. Frankly, I think I'm the only one worse for the wear in regards to the transfer!

 

[san415]

wow your coop looks great!

 

[Chris623]

Thanks for all the "flowers" on the coop. I build expensive art furniture for a living and, unfortunately, the coop is WAY over-built........................but then I don't know how to do anything with wood half-way!

I just hope the chicks appreciate my efforts!

 

[walbarbsa]

great coop -- I have coop envy. Your chickies will love their new digs; they'll love the run and, before you know it, you'll be gathering eggs....have fun. It's calming to sit outside the coop with some cold ice tea (or whatever) and watch the fuzzy butts peck, scratch and bawk.