need more space

[CT11]

Hi All

Before I get to my question, a thanks in advance for the advice to come. This community has been amazing as I start my chicken journey.

So I have 6 chicks that are now 3 weeks old. They've lived in a 2x4 brooder set on the floor of the coop from the day I got them. All is good now (after a little owner induced dehydration - grrr) but I just realized I should have already introduced a pan of dirt for bathing and exposure to the soil. The problem is that between the food, water, mini-roost and now a pan of dirt, there just isn't that much open space left.

Would it be a problem to just take out the brooder and let them roam the floor of the full coop? Its about 6x8 feet so it would be quite a size upgrade, but it saves me building a larger brooder and cover. I could block off half the coop, but would be concerned if they jump the barrier and get stuck without access to the heat.

My gut says full access is fine as long as they have their heat, but I've learned at this point that its smarter to ask first as I get my feet under me.

Again, thank you for any of your thoughts on the matter.

 

[DobieLover]

Hi All

Before I get to my question, a thanks in advance for the advice to come. This community has been amazing as I start my chicken journey.

So I have 6 chicks that are now 3 weeks old. They've lived in a 2x4 brooder set on the floor of the coop from the day I got them. All is good now (after a little owner induced dehydration - grrr) but I just realized I should have already introduced a pan of dirt for bathing and exposure to the soil. The problem is that between the food, water, mini-roost and now a pan of dirt, there just isn't that much open space left.

Would it be a problem to just take out the brooder and let them roam the floor of the full coop? Its about 6x8 feet so it would be quite a size upgrade, but it saves me building a larger brooder and cover. I could block off half the coop, but would be concerned if they jump the barrier and get stuck without access to the heat.

My gut says full access is fine as long as they have their heat, but I've learned at this point that its smarter to ask first as I get my feet under me.

Again, thank you for any of your thoughts on the matter.

If you don't have any other chickens in there, by all means let them out and have the run of the place. Leave their heat source where it is as that is where they are accustomed to accessing it.
They'll have a blast running and flying around in their new digs!

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Oh yes of course! That’s completely fine as long as they have constant access to heat!

I always try to keep my browsers as big as possible! I have a room that I use as a giant brooder!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Honestly, depending on your location, at three weeks they are not necessarily in need of the heat either ....my babies, brooded out in the coop from day one, are self weaning by three weeks, when they also start integrating with the adults, and off heat entirely (by their choice) by 4....and that's in the temps of february/march. I would absolutely give them run of the coop and watch them with regards to heat seeking, take your cues from them and they will likely tell you they dont want/need it well before most will say they should

 

[CT11]

Exactly what I wanted to hear! How often does that happen?! There are no other chickens in the coop so tomorrow they get a whole new world!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

To give them a preview of the microorganisms they will encounter, you can just throw a handful of sod into the brooder. Treat!

 

[Ebony Rose]

To give them a preview of the microorganisms they will encounter, you can just throw a handful of sod into the brooder. Treat!

And pay attention to anyone acting listless or unwell after introducing them to those microorganisms too. Add some unsweetened yogurt to some of their feed for one or two days to jump start their gut bacteria and help them digest the new and interesting things they're going to swallow

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Honestly, depending on your location, at three weeks they are not necessarily in need of the heat either ....my babies, brooded out in the coop from day one, are self weaning by three weeks, when they also start integrating with the adults, and off heat entirely (by their choice) by 4....and that's in the temps of february/march. I would absolutely give them run of the coop and watch them with regards to heat seeking, take your cues from them and they will likely tell you they dont want/need it well before most will say they should

I've noticed that mine seem to need much less heat than recommended. I did get them at one week old. I've turned down the Mama Heating Pad and they spend almost all their time outside it, anyway, except at night. 10 days old now. They are in a cool room in the house, maybe 58 F. most of the time.