Using a plastic dog create

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community!

 

[chickens really]

I just have a small shed with no electricity and right now I just have a space heater, don't have a heat lamp yet but will probably get a small one for in the coop

If you can move them to the Coop they will do great..Even if you have to bring them in at night for a week. A lot tougher than you think.

 

[Guisso14]

I don’t know bout the soil thing but I use dried mealworms, greens, and chic grit after two weeks rationed. Helps them to learn foraging skills and adds protein through the mealworms. The grit to aid digestion.

Some days when its warmer out I'll put them out in the run for a half hour or so.

 

[chickens really]

Some days when its warmer out I'll put them out in the run for a half hour or so.

Definitely they can handle being outside. I have raised Chicks with Momma and snow on the ground, still Momma takes them out to forage.

 

[SimplyLivinthatFarmLife]

Hello and welcome to BYC!! I used an old metal dog crate along with a cardboard box with my girls. I kept them inside the garage for quite some time before putting them outside. I got them in January, so it was a bit cold to have them go out at 5 weeks of age. They will get smelly and the dust they create is crazy! Good luck to you.

 

[Guisso14]

this is my setup right now. The crate has tons of ventilation and I have a light shining in on them. There is a small heater by the door keeping the room around 75 F. When they start to get even bigger I'm going to try to attach the wire cage to the front door for extra room.

 

[aart]

So the only heat you are providing is from the space heater?
Not really the way to keep chicks warm.
They need one place that is really warm and the rest of their area should be cooler.

 

[feathermaid]

I just have a small shed with no electricity and right now I just have a space heater, don't have a heat lamp yet but will probably get a small one for in the coop

At this point, I don't think you need a heat lamp, especially not in the coop. Actually, I think what other posters mean by light is "daylight." I can see that you're trying your best and doing a good job, but I can offer some suggestions that may make life easier...

Newspapers can be slippery for chicks and very hard to keep clean. I would say get rid of the paper and use pine shavings or some bedding material instead. Raise the food and water up higher, like on a brick or something to that effect. It'll stay cleaner and spill less.

You probably won't want them in the house much longer, they can go out to the coop right away, even if it's cold, as long as you make a few provisions... which will require (electricity) running an extension cord to the coop. I made a heating pad cave for my babies and many other people have also successfully and easily raised their chicks this way. It's similar to an expensive "heating plate" and works like a mother hen. The chicks go underneath for warmth when they feel like it, and run around and explore the rest of the time. They're exposed to natural day and night cycles and feather out quickly.
Please read about it all here:
Mama Heating Pad
Kick The Heat Lamp: Better, Safer And Healthier Options To Heat Your Brooder
Raise chicks outside

You could easily use a few layers of that poultry wire and shape it into an arch, securely attach a heating pad (make sure it will never automatically shut off), then you can adjust the height as the chicks grow by just bending the wire. Here's some pics of my set-up to get an idea (but I used a cooling rack with adjustable supports):

I actually moved them out to the coop right after those pictures were taken (2 wks old).
And I put cardboard on the top of the heating pad to protect it from poop.


Maybe this can help solve your space problem, by just moving them to the coop now.
Good luck and have fun raising your flock!!

 

[feathermaid]

@snow5164 and @Melky both make good points about adding grit. They will definitely need grit in order to digest any food or treats you give them that is not chick starter. And giving them a chunk of grass with some dirt is the best way to introduce them to their future outside environment and build up immunities a little bit at a time. Also make a dust bath out of sand or dry dirt. Dust bathing is a natural behavior that helps keep their skin clean and parasites away.

 

[snow5164]

I don’t know bout the soil thing but I use dried mealworms, greens, and chic grit after two weeks rationed. Helps them to learn foraging skills and adds protein through the mealworms. The grit to aid digestion.

You’ve never given chicks a chunk of sod? That’s too bad it works well to build up immunity and gives there natural instincts a chance to kick in , they won’t stop til they’ve torn it apart , now you’ve learned something new .

I’d avoid all the treats for chicks , they need the starter to grow healthy and strong .

@Shamo Hybrid you misunderstood I said cut a door between cardboard boxes , not cut up the dog kennel ?? If that’s even possible