What do I do with these chicks?

[cafarmgirl]

So I just did measurements and the tub is 2.5 ft. x 1.7 ft. I would love to move them outside (the dust is getting bad) however my husband hasn't finished the coop yet and is gone all this coming week for work so unfortunately my options are limited. We may just move them out as soon as the coop is done. They will be 3 weeks on Monday (born on St. Patrick's Day

) and will probably be between 4 & 5 weeks by the time the coop is built. Unfortunately we will have to some how stick it out inside for now. I don't have anything bigger I have actually moved them from their original tub into a slightly bigger one. So I guess the only option is to create places for them to roost and a chicken wire lid?

At only 4.25 square feet that is far too small a space for 6 chicks, and that's not taking into account the space the feeder and waterer take up. Chicks need about a square foot of space, and more as they grow. Keeping them in that small of a space for a few more weeks is inviting serious issues like pecking. Sometimes once you get that started you can't get it stopped. I would create a larger space out of anything you can, boxes are the easiest since they can be cut and taped together to make the size you need and they are free. Lay some chicken wire on top to keep them in and you'll be able to get by comfortably until the coop is done.

 

[CountryHeart06]

That would work. One other option: buy a roll of chicken wire and make a 10 foot or so square outside. Turn the tote on its side so they can go in. You could have it up in under an hour & take it down when hubby finishes the coop.

If one wall is up against the house or shed or something & the tote is against that wall, they should be happy & warm.

The chicken wire square is a great idea for the time being! How would you go about it? I'm trying to figure out how to create a roof and attach it to the walls. Our weather has been really inconsistent and it's supposed to be a low of 36 tonight even though it was in the 70's today so I don't think I could leave them outside at night but they at least would be happy during the day for now. I may have to figure out some cardboard contraption for inside like suggested.

 

[cafarmgirl]

The chicken wire square is a great idea for the time being! How would you go about it? I'm trying to figure out how to create a roof and attach it to the walls. Our weather has been really inconsistent and it's supposed to be a low of 36 tonight even though it was in the 70's today so I don't think I could leave them outside at night but they at least would be happy during the day for now. I may have to figure out some cardboard contraption for inside like suggested.

A few things would concern me about the chicken wire setup outside. It's going to need to be covered to keep them from flying out. It's not going to offer any predator protection and they aren't going to have much protection from the elements with just their rubbermaid tub on it's side. And at 3 weeks old they are not yet fully feathered enough to be outside all day without any way of warming up when they need to if the weather is chilly. If your temps were consistently warm enough that might be ok from the standpoint of temperature only. A large cardboard box inside is really probably going to be your easiest, simplest solution.

 

[CountryHeart06]

In case anyone wanted a follow up my hubby was home today and we made a cardboard haven for the chicks. I think they are already much happier. They have been sleeping quite a bit. I didn't realize it but they must not have been sleeping well. I did notice they were stepping on each other. Didn't realize that if they had more room they wouldn't do that. I'm going to try and attach a pic. Thanks again for the help! My chicks and I are both appreciative!

 

[jbly2014]

That looks like plenty of room for them! Do you have something to cover it with?

 

[CountryHeart06]

It doesn't have a lid but I don't think they will need it. The flaps on the boxes are still attached and if need be I can always put them up if we need the extra height. We also gave them something to roost on after I took the picture so they should be good I would think. They are already like different chicks! I'm so relieved! Now if it would stop raining we could work on the coop!

 

[debid]

Nice work!

Save your extra cardboard because you'll be needing to make some anti-perch cones for the feeder and waterer soon. I'd suggest installing one or two small perches for them. Two cereal boxes with holes cut in them for ends and a stick from any nontoxic tree works just fine. Since you're indoors, a cheap cover can be made from a bit of plastic fencing or even just a sliding screen door temporarily repurposed.

Eta: we were posting at the same time... Glad you gave them perches and kept the flaps on. That will help. You still might need the cones, though.

 

[SusanPC]

Thanks for the update. That is a wonderful set-up for the chicks - they look very satisfied. Lots of room to scratch and investigate (and stay out of each other's way... ). You'll be surprised at how soon you and they will be ready for the next move - good luck and God speed on coop construction.

 

[sepaditty1]

Looks great!

 

[rc4u]

i always start my chicks in a 9x9 foot pen with cardboard sides 2 ft tall and they get much more exercise and at two weeks they do short flights and have a box in there so they can fly on top of it..they do not peck each other as there are things to do...never have pecked chicks... it is fun to watch them stand off they stretch out and fly over the other bird and that's it for the scrap...the cx meat chicks really need space and spread the water and food so they just don't sit and eat..i usually get the cx after the others are 8 days old and after a couple weeks they are same size...space keeps them calmer and they can have there little clicks to sleep and play with. I have 36 chicks in this space and its great..jeff