Wait... how old do they stay?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[Chickenuser]

My little chicks are not so little anymore. I may sound like an idiot, but I know they have to stay for one month or until feathers grow.
But what do the feathers look like? My chicks are still balding and are 3 1/2 weeks old. How do I know if they are ready? They are starting to outgrow their brooder and I don't have a bigger one and it is too cold for them to go outside.
What do I do?

 

[mudhen]

Get a bigger brooder...?

 

[Chickenuser]

4-h project.
Broke. No money. No dough. Need something at home.

 

[mudhen]

Doesn't have to be expensive, a bigger cardboard box, maybe a screen top, heat lamp, pine shavings, starter feed and water.

 

[MoonGoddess]

I moved my chicks into a dog crate. No reason to go spend money when they're only going to be in it for a short time. Look around the house...if your a junk collector like me, you'll find something.

 

[Chickenuser]

Munhen:
My dad said we would not have a heat lamp on a card board box. "it's a fire hazard"
Plus, I don't have one bigger than the 3x5 metal container I have them in now.
un
I looked MoonGoddess, but I will look again.
Thanks for all your help!

 

[w8tn4fresheggs]

Use a large rubbermaid bin. Ask a friend or relative for a bigger box or bin. You can do it! I have a heat lamp attached to a rubbermaid bin and it works great. Or clip it to something that is sturdy and have it above it. I had my lamp clipped to an open drawer in the bathroom and it was sturdy. Worked great. Good Luck

 

[chickenranchwife]

Do you live in city or country? Do you have access to a bigger water tank? They work great! Easy to clean too!Good luck chickenuser.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

how many chicks are you trying to house?

 

[Chickenuser]

I am housing 19 pullets at 3.5 weeks.
I am in the country, 2 acres, I have them in a water feeder now.

I will try it.