Thinking to 'Shark Tank' my chicks...

[huntsman]

Anyone tried this?

I was thinking about making up a brooder cage which I can fit into the chicken run during the day so the 5 week olds and existing chicks (around 12 weeks old, I guess) can get used to one another.

Frame would be from 2x4, with chicken mesh wraparound to separate the two groups. At night, I would remove the cage to my garage where I would add heating lights.

Two questions jump to mind:

Would they need heat lights during the day? Ambient temps here are around 24C...

Would the chicken wire protect them sufficiently from the older birds?

Thanks!

 

[Mahonri]

The wire should protect them. Once they hit 6 weeks they are pretty much feathered out sufficiently that they no longer need a heat lamp. I have one group where I still offer the heat and about 5 of them like it but the others roost in the bushes. I hope an owl doesn't get them.

 

[evonne]

that is how i integrate mine at 5-7 weeks... in a smaller cage insdie.. well, okay, in the yard... they freerange all day.... then bring them back into the house untill they are used to each other enough to let them loose.... then for a few days i'll leave that small cage there in the same spot because they want to return to it at night.. i let them get settled in there then move them into the main coop.. most have gotten the hang of it within 2-3 days... i have one little spoiled solo chick that still comes and knocks on my glass kitchen door to be picked up and taken to the coop.. lol...

 

[huntsman]

Cool!
It's You Nanny Mouse!

Thanks!