New to managing flock

[cherry0]

I am brand new to raising chicks. I have a question that I know some of you can answer for me. I have 20 chicks that are 2 1/2 weeks old. I've had them in big cardboard boxes in my family room, but they are now getting quite active - flying etc. not to mention that it's starting to get a little crowded!
I have a large screened in porch in the back yard that would be perfect to move them to. Is it ok to move them to the porch since they are so young? I have heat lamps and can put chicken wire around the outside of the screens if I need to to protect them even more. The temps at night where I live are in the upper 60s and low 70s. What do you think?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My youngest chicks are that age and they're out in their coop. 2 nights it got down to 40 so I turned on the heat lamp but during the day it's off. Can you put a heat lamp in the coop? Do you have a coop?
Screen and chicken wire aren't enough to keep raccoons, big dogs and other strong animals out. Hardware cloth is better.

Chicks need a warm spot, not a warm building (i.e. broody hen or heat lamp)
They're not as fragile as people think.
I brood in an outbuilding all year except extreme heat of summer.


That building has gotten down into the 20s at night but toasty under the lamps.

 

[cherry0]

Thanks so much for your advice. I will be getting some hardware cloth today!
We are in process of completing our coop, but it is at another location. Our homeowner association won't let us have chickens in our back yards. I'm so distraught over that, but my husband's mother lives further into the country - that's where he is building our coop. I figured that "small chicks" wouldn't comprise a problem with the association, so I'm getting to look after my little ladies for a few more weeks, until the coop is done. (hahaha!)
So, your idea of hardware cloth is great as my screened-in porch has a concrete floor, but, as you say, "varmits" may be able to get through the screen. Our back yard is fenced, so I don't think dogs would be the problem, but certainly racoons might.
I can put the heat lamps in there, and think it'll just be perfect once I get the protection around it that they will need. Thanks again.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hardware cloth is expensive and may be too much for your temporary situation. Maybe you could put them in something on the porch more protected without having to modify your house.
When building your coop, make sure you have enough ventilation. People think chickens get cold but heat and bad air kill chickens, cold doesn't.

 

[donrae]

I'd just look for larger cardboard boxes. Cut out a door between them and tape them adjoining. Heat lamp in one box, food and water in another box. You can use three or more boxes in a row. They're a great temporary solution for housing.

 

[cherry0]

Here is what we've ended up doing. The entire screened-in porch is wrapped in hardware cloth. Chicks seem safe and happy!



Thanks everyone for your comments and help!

 

[cherry0]

Oooops! The pictures didn't show up. I'll try again.

 

[cherry0]

 

[cherry0]

 

[cherry0]