Out of the Brooder at Two Weeks?

[jaku]

Made it several nights now, with no problems! Now that I have the third bulb, I may take them out of the brooder at two weeks with every batch.

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
When the weather is warmer, you can put them in from day one. I got my first batch of the year on April 8th. I put them directly into the heat lamp equiped, tarped, tractor with no problems. High/Low temps where 50/65+ when I got them. I did turn the heat lamps on a day early to help warm the ground. It was so nice not having to deal with any of the things that go along with starting them in a brooder (Changing wood shavings, the stink, stink, stink-No livestock in the house!)

 

[jaku]

Quote:
When the weather is warmer, you can put them in from day one. I got my first batch of the year on April 8th. I put them directly into the heat lamp equiped, tarped, tractor with no problems. High/Low temps where 50/65+ when I got them. I did turn the heat lamps on a day early to help warm the ground. It was so nice not having to deal with any of the things that go along with starting them in a brooder (Changing wood shavings, the stink, stink, stink-No livestock in the house!)

I'm with you on the "no livestock in the house" policy! I get mine a little earlier, so it isn't hot when I'm butchering, and I never have to worry about losing any to the heat, so I probably won't try it from day one. Plus I just built a nice new brooder! But, I won't keep any in the garage for the full three weeks anymore!

 

[dadof4]

Mine are out too. Third day and all is well. Tonight it is gonna be cold. Ya'll wish me luck. The last thing I need this week are dead chickens!

 

[jaku]

Quote:
In Mississippi, you should be fine in February!

 

[simplyscrambled]

Here in CA, it's in the 70-80's, down in the high 40's and low 50's at night. I got a batch with a co-worker. I kept mine inside (I only have 8) and lost none. I put them out with a heat lamp at 3 weeks, and haven't lost any. They tried putting them outside surrounded by bails of hay, and a heat lamp since day 2, and have lost 9 out of 22 chicks.

OF COURSE you could chalk it up to inexperience with chicks in the Fall, since they've only done Spring chicks, and are very busy and probably didn't do more than check food and water. ?? But I assumed it was putting them out so early. Nice to know you can put them out under the right set-up!