NewChickMom....chicks quickly out grown their brooder....help please :)

[NewChicKMom2014]

We got 4 heavies, 2 guineas and 2 ducks that are about 5-6 weeks old, the chicks are getting their feathers pretty good. They have quickly out grown their brooder. I was wondering if it is okay to move out to their coop with a heat source...if so what is the best heat source. We live in Missouri and the temps are getting up into the upper 50's and up during the daytime hours, but the nights still been dropping low into the 30's. Some guidance be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[pogmobum]

When my chicks were this age I moved them out to my shed put them in a big brooder made from old furniture and gave them a heat lamp adjusted the height depending on their behaviour in the first hour and they were super happy, if your putting them outside and not in your shed or garage make sure whatever it is is enclosed away from wind, water proof and has a constant heat source

 

[fried green eggs]

Hi &

Are the "heavies" meat birds ie Cornish X? or just large breed chickens? Wondering because CX need to be fed differently than others.

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

The guy at store we bought from wasn't very informative unfortunately. Sign said straight run heavies is all I know. We got two that are red and two that are black and white and look like they got little crowns on top their heads. My daughter's and I new to this and raising for eggs only and just to enjoy watching.

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

We moved them to the chicken coop. I have the lamp out their on and blocked any big open areas from direct wind.

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

They seem happy and content. Enjoying have more space to move around.

 

[pogmobum]

Sounds good just make sure to check on then a lot for the first day/night and if they are all closely huddled directly under the heat move it down a bit. If they are all as far away as possible move it up a bit e.t.c. Ensure you have a new bulb that has no chance of burning out for there first week of outside time.

 

[fried green eggs]

Ok guessing they are production laying hens or roos. Don't trust the hanger or clamp thing on a heat lamp! Make sure it is wired in place so if, the clamp and/or hanger fails it won't start a fire. Also I never trust a single heat lamp with young chicks outside because if the bulb burns out - the chicks will get too cold and die. I always have two heat sources for young chicks but, they still need to be able to get away from heat too.

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

They been running around laying fairly close to each other but not huddled and not directly under light....they been moving around....one was even up on the roosting bar awhile ago when I checked on them. I will probably be up most the night worrying and watching like a mother hen lol....I just bought an extra bulb yesterday so I am covered there. I have the brooder all cleaned out and ready in case I need bring them back in, but they seem content. I'm just a worry wart when it comes to any my babies....

 

[Silkiehen]

I put mine in the coop with a heat lamp at 3 weeks old, they will probably be fine!