I have 24 two week old white leghorns and have had in a 4 ft x 8 ft x 3 ft tall brooder box with all the comferts which is inside a 12ft x 12ft building which is intended to be the hen house nothing else in the building. can or should i let them rome in the building and be able to let them outside at times under supervision ofcourse it seems they are getting restless or cramped in the box any thougths
Chicks need their space. When they feel cramped bullying occurs. Depending on the temps in your area I think it would be ok to take them out as long as it was sunny and warm enough (short, monitored periods since they are not fully feathered). As for letting them roam the coop I'd also say yes. Pull the brooder light out and place it in the coop. If they are chilled they will seek the heat from the light.
Hi and I put my chicks in their 8 x 10 coop at 3 weeks and they loved it. This was in February, but the building was insulated and they had their heat lamp. They did fine and really did enjoy the extra space. I have noticed that Leghorns will start picking on each other if they are too cramped, so now might be the time to make the move in order to prevent this.
thanks for the replies think i will take the box out out side run not quite ready yet tho great day to all
Took one side of the brooder out and let them move on thier own and i dont think they know what to do with thenselves as they gone from 32 sq ft to 144 sq ft its kinda funny the way they run out sctatch then run back btw is that a big enough building for the coop for 24 birds thanks all have great day
