Temporary Coop need ideas?

[urbanchick7735]

Hello. I am in a bit of a pickle. I took some chicks from a class that thought it would be a good idea to hatch them. However, they are about three weeks now and are outgrowing our makeshift coop and getting really messy. I have a coop with some older ladies in it, but was told to wait 5 months. Any suggestions on something cheap we can trow together, offers to borrow a coop, or anyone have one they want to sell. I put this on this forum because I honestly am open to ideas. Thank you so much.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Where are you located? It could help to know your weather and at least what country you are in. Modifying your profile to show that on every post can be a big help on many questions. Do your three-week-olds still need supplemental heat? In some places not really, which makes your problem a lot easier to solve.

Where are they now, in your house, your garage, or some other outbuilding? If you need supplemental heat do you have electricity in the coop or some other outbuilding? How many do you have?

What do your current facilities look like? How big is your coop and run in feet or meters. Do you have to worry about predator protection or can it go in some place where predators are not an issue? Photos could help in understanding possibilities.

Some quick thoughts. Can you fence off a part of your coop to keep them away from the adults and keep them out there. If it is in your coop maybe all you need is chicken wire. Or do that in your run and give them a way to get out of the weather.

Get a big cardboard box or two, maybe an appliance box. Make a brooder with them in your garage or another outbuilding. Put something on the floor so they don't stain it with their poop. You can get a second appliance box and tape them together with an opening for them to get from one to the other if you need more room.

Many of us don't wait anywhere close to five months before we integrate chicks. I've had broody hens wean their chicks at three weeks to leave them on their own to make their way with the flock. I regularly turn my 5 week old chicks loose to roam with the flock. Some others do it even younger. Not everyone can do that. A lot depends on your unique circumstances: how much room you have and how it is arranged, how many chickens you have, and how you manage them. If you have a lot of room this can be fairly easy. If you have then packed in tightly it can be challenging. The more we know about your unique situation the more likely we can offer specific advice on how to proceed. If space is really limited you may have to wait and it can still be rough.

Thee are several tricks we use to make the integration process go smoother. Housing them side by side for a while so they get used to each other, maybe a safe haven panic room, multiple feed and water stations, places to hide under, behind, or over, just different things. I have no idea which techniques will work best for you in your unique situation.