New Chicks Coming tomorrow. Can I brood in my new coop?

[EggStatic46]

Hi all.
I am a first timer and live in South Central PA. I have my new coop set up and I have 3 chicks arriving tomorrow.....I am VERY nervous....lol
I have the following:
- Coop
- Heat lamp
- Waterer
- Feeder
- Chick starter feed
- 1 package of Vital Pack (vitamins and electrolytes)
- Pine Chips

I was wondering if I could just brood them in my coop. If I set up the heat lamp, food and water in the roosting box of the coop will this be OK for them? I do not have any other chickens yet so they will be the first in the coop.The weather here is currently in the 70-80's during the day and 50 and 60's overnight. I figured this would be easier end when they are ready I could just open the slide door/hatch and give them access to the run.

Here is the coop:
Here is the Roosting box in the coop


I did make a makeshift bin from a plastic container but I think all three of them will outgrow this very quickly.



Please let me know your thought and advice please.
Thanks y'all
- Michael

 

[Y N dottes]

yeah, it will probably work better that way
I started my day old chicks in the big girl coop this year. I had gotten rid of my older chickens so they had the coop to themselves. Very easy this way and they will not have to adjust to a new place another time

 

[EggStatic46]

Thanks so much for your response. I figured it would be easier for them in there. Looks like I better get the lamp set up in there tonight then.
Being new I am very nervous but VERY excited.
Thanks again for your input.

 

[EggStatic46]

Just curious. When did you give them access to the ramp / run......4 weeks?

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

I think it should work out fine and you could give them access to the run at 2-3 weeks. Just make sure you close them in at night so they don't get too cold if they wander out.

 

[EggStatic46]

Excellent. Thanks so much!

 

[Y N dottes]

because I got them when the temps were still a bit cold I didn't let them have free access to their run until 4 weeks. that is when the temps started to get warm.
with 70-80 degrees they could probably start using their ramp at around 3 weeks.

 

[Annalog]

Welcome!

I agree with the previous posters. I started my first batch of chicks in a new coop. Our coop is larger, 8'x8' section of a converted shed, so I blocked off a smaller section with cardboard boxes as two walls and then moved the cardboard walls as the chicks grew.

 

[Traphill]

In the coop! I have brooded 2 flocks outside and this time I had to put them inside due to the coop not finished....I read my chicken Diary from my 1st flock and I had them in the run at 3 weeks ( how we forget That was enough for me and out they went this last weekend, they turned 3 weeks yesterday... I put them in a covered area that is going to be part of their run, they are so happy, I observed a couple of games of keep away , scratching and some dust bathing. They can see my other big girls and I think that is good for them! I turn a lamp on at night since we have been in the 60's . I have never had my brooder at 95 degrees, usually around 90 to start and if you think about it if they were with momma they would play and then run back under her for warmth I think that too hot is just as bad as too cold. Watch them that is the best indicator and if they are in the coop they have enough room to be under the lamp and enough room to get away from it as well.... Make sure everyone is drinking and knows where the water is before you introduce food. .Enjoy, chickens are the bomb!

 

[EggStatic46]

Thanks again everybody!!
I put the brooding setup in the roosting box of the coop this evening. The run on this setup looks so small for three hens. I plan on letting them free range. I guess it would be ok to let them start free ranging as soon as I give them access to the run huh?