New chick brooder

[Mamatomany123]

Got some chicks and we're brooding them with the bigger girls. They're in the covered part of the run and out of wind and rain. Ran around like crazy for a while when I put them in it's only hardware cloth halfway up the side since they're on a secure run but I may go ahead and put it all the way up. Just did this for now because they could fit their little heads through the netting.

 

[Debbie292d]

I love that third picture. As if your hens are watching TV now. It's awesome! Good job!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Do you just let down that door?

This is our first time using this one. I will probably just make an opening on the side. Something big enough for the chicks to fit through but small enough that the hens can't fit. That way if they're getting picked on they can run to safety. The door is for me to access the food, water, and chicks if needed. It's big enough for me to fit through.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I love that brooder! I bet it will be super easy to integrate them since they are right there with the big ones already.

Yes, we've always had them with the big ones, but we usually get 6 chicks, not 20 (21, actually. Just realized they snuck an extra one in) so we needed to make a bigger one. Integration always goes smooth. Never had a hen hurt a chick or try to.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Do you just let down that door?

The door does go down though. I figured it will be easier for me than having to hold it up while filling the food and water.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I love that third picture. As if your hens are watching TV now. It's awesome! Good job!

My hens are usually pretty great with chicks. If the weather is warm enough, I'm able to start letting them out around 3weeks old. The bigger girls usually just give a warning peck here and there but I've never had serious issues.

 

[Chichin Mama]

I love that brooder! I bet it will be super easy to integrate them since they are right there with the big ones already.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Do you just let down that door?

Had my daughter hold the door to show how it opens

 

[aart]

This is our first time using this one. I will probably just make an opening on the side. Something big enough for the chicks to fit through but small enough that the hens can't fit. That way if they're getting picked on they can run to safety. The door is for me to access the food, water, and chicks if needed. It's big enough for me to fit through.

Yep, tiny doors, that's what I do too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[Mamatomany123]

Yep, tiny doors, that's what I do too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

I probably got it from you. It's been so long that I can't remember where I read it but I'm pretty it was that article