Using the coop as the brooder

[mmccarthy781]

Hey everyone,
This is my first post so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place

I have 4 buff orpington chicks which are 11 days old now. These are the first chickens I've ever had so I'm trying to make sure that I'm doing everything right. So far, the brooder has been an 18 gallon tupperware container in the coop, but it is starting to get small for them, and they are starting to jump and fly about. I've read people say that a good sized brooder for 4 chicks is 3 feet by 4 feet, and that is roughly the size of the actual coop. I'm wondering if I could just let the coop be the brooder now. Are there any disadvantages to doing that?


Here is the coop from the outside to give some sense of scale

This is the inside of the coop with the current 18 gallon brooder inside

 

[BigMikeK89]

Non I can think of AS LONG AS you leave a heatlamp out (if needed) make sure the fenceing it tight enough they can't squeeze out, and make sure they have shelter from preditors. Most certiantly the hawk being they are so small.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I think it would be fine if they had a heat lamp. Try it, and if you see them shivering and stuff then you should put them back in the box but I think it'll be okay!

 

[chickenbythesea]

mine have never been anywhere other than the coop when they're day olds. I have a heat lamp of course but there's never been a need for anything special. I have only lost one chick and that was 2 years ago and it died the day we got it so it wasn't from being in the coop (and we've raised 32 babies so far). As long as they have heat and are secure, they'll be fine

 

[debid]

My only caution would be that chicks are more vulnerable to predators so take a good look at the security before you use a coop for chicks. It only takes a hole the size of a quarter to let in rats or snakes. If you've got half-inch hardware cloth, go food it! Your chicks will love having room to flap around.