Questions

[ChickenChick46]

Hi everyone! I'm still getting all of this figured out, and I have a couple of quick questions about my bantams. First, do they need things to keep them busy in the brooder? I've seen "chicken enrichment" things, some of which look similar to my cats' toys. Should I put anything in there for them to play with, or do they care? I do have a special chick roosting bar in there which they seem to really like.

Next, at what age should I start taking them outside? I was thinking around 3 weeks. I'm in a hot area, and our weather will be in the 90s most days the next 2 weeks. Lowest temp is see is 88. I would, of course, be out there with them. And I thought I might buy them a tunnel to keep them safe from anything overhead. I was considering the one sold by Vevor on Amazon, for reference.

Our TSC gets their chicks on Wednesdays, and we got ours on Saturday. I guess that would make them not quite one week old? This is part of that new chicken mom uncertainty, so I'm including some pictures in case I'm wrong about that.

I'm so sorry for all the questions (that might be dumb). I just want to do right by these babies. Thank you all so much for any advice!

 

[SilverBirds]

I would get a container of dirt from outside close to where their coop will be and put it in their brooder. They will love scratching around and practicing dustbathing in it and it will help strengthen their immune system.

They will be good to go outside then. By 3-4 I usually kick my chicks out permanently in that weather. Do you already have your coop or an outdoor brooder setup?

 

[ChickenChick46]

I would get a container of dirt from outside close to where their coop will be and put it in their brooder. They will love scratching around and practicing dustbathing in it and it will help strengthen their immune system.

They will be good to go outside then. By 3-4 I usually kick my chicks out permanently in that weather. Do you already have your coop or an outdoor brooder setup?

Oh, that's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that. Our natural dirt is a mixture of sand and clay. Will that be okay for them? I'll make sure it's not wet or clumpy or anything.

I don't have any outdoor brooder, but we do have the coop ready and secure.

 

[Ridgerunner]

First, do they need things to keep them busy in the brooder? I've seen "chicken enrichment" things, some of which look similar to my cats' toys. Should I put anything in there for them to play with, or do they care? I do have a special chick roosting bar in there which they seem to really like.

How many chicks do you have? How big is your brooder? At what age do you plan to move them out of the brooder?

To me, the best toy you can give them is sufficient room. That will depend on age and number. You can put other stuff in there if you want. If you do I would suggest something they can get up on. But that is more for your benefit than theirs as long as they have enough room.

Next, at what age should I start taking them outside?

Why do you want to take them outside? As hot as it is you are not worried about acclimating them to colder weather. Nothing wrong with taking them out, a broody hen would have them out scratching around and looking for food. It can help them with their immune system.

And I thought I might buy them a tunnel to keep them safe from anything overhead. I was considering the one sold by Vevor on Amazon, for reference.

Is your run covered? I'd also worry about the greenhouse effect with that tent.

 

[ChickenChick46]

How many chicks do you have? How big is your brooder? At what age do you plan to move them out of the brooder?

To me, the best toy you can give them is sufficient room. That will depend on age and number. You can put other stuff in there if you want. If you do I would suggest something they can get up on. But that is more for your benefit than theirs as long as they have enough room.


Why do you want to take them outside? As hot as it is you are not worried about acclimating them to colder weather. Nothing wrong with taking them out, a broody hen would have them out scratching around and looking for food. It can help them with their immune system.


Is your run covered? I'd also worry about the greenhouse effect with that tent.

I've got just the 4 in the pictures. Their brooder right now is a 40 gallon tote, but I've got access to larger options if they need it as they grow. My plan is to move them out of the brooder and into the coop between 6 and 8 weeks, or when they're feathered enough to go outdoors. Even our night temps right now are high 70s, but they'll be slightly cooler by the end of August and start of September, I imagine.

My main thought process with taking them outside is that it would be good for them to get used to the sounds and sights out there near their coop so it doesn't seem like a shock.

The run attached to our coop is covered with hardware cloth all around and on top, so fully enclosed, and concrete is poured around the bottom so nothing can dig in. If I bought the tunnel, I definitely wouldn't use the tent cover right now. I was thinking the tunnel would be nice so I could set them up near me while I was working in the garden. That way I could keep a close eye on them.

 

[kattabelly]

At those temps I'd start taking them outside as soon as you get them, once you know they're eating and drinking ok and they've had some grit. Make sure they have access to both sun and shade and watch to see how they're doing.

They shouldn't need to be indoors for anything like 6-8 weeks. Do you know what night-time temps are getting down to inside your coop at the moment?

 

[ChickenChick46]

I've had them for about 48 hours now, and they started eating and drinking immediately and haven't had any trouble. I haven't given them grit, though. I'll get them some.

I don't actually know what temp the coop is at night. I haven't thought about it since I thought I needed to keep them inside for much longer. But I do have a Bluetooth thermometer that links to an app on my phone. I can put that in there and find out easily.

 

[thecatumbrella]

If they're only a few days old, don't worry about enrichment. Mine take about 2 weeks to fully get their sea legs with eating/drinking/warming up. 3 weeks is the perfect time to start field trips, larger brooder, and enrichment.

 

[ChickenChick46]

If they're only a few days old, don't worry about enrichment. Mine take about 2 weeks to fully get their sea legs with eating/drinking/warming up. 3 weeks is the perfect time to start field trips, larger brooder, and enrichment.

Thank you so much! Since this is my first time having them. I guess I expected them to sleep more? I mean, they sleep and very soundly. But they are awake a lot and eating/drinking so I wanted to make sure they weren't getting bored in there.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Thank you so much! Since this is my first time having them. I guess I expected them to sleep more? I mean, they sleep and very soundly. But they are awake a lot and eating/drinking so I wanted to make sure they weren't getting bored in there.

This is actually a really good sign. It means the temperature and environment are comfortable enough for them to be active. And they're healthy!

I know opinions will differ, but I focus on the basics for the first couple weeks. After that, they can start to get bored. Or at least need more room to flutter and posture at each other!