When Can I First Leave Chicks Alone For the Day?

[Chicken_Bureaucrat]

It'll be my first time getting chicks soon! I plan on at least taking PTO on the day I get them. But I'm wondering how long I need to keep doing that. How old until I am able to leave them alone for the day? Is it mostly just about making sure I have a food and water source they wont ruin and a heat source that wont catch fire?

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

It'll be my first time getting chicks soon! I plan on at least taking PTO on the day I get them. But I'm wondering how long I need to keep doing that. How old until I am able to leave them alone for the day? Is it mostly just about making sure I have a food and water source they wont ruin and a heat source that wont catch fire?

I check on them constantly when I am home, but aside from that...if I am at work I go home on lunch and check on them around 12, but I leave around 230-3am. Then I check on them when I get home around 330, they tuck theirselves in around 6pm.

They have full run of the coop, locked in, I leave the light on when I leave in the morning. Heat source stays on all day.

 

[abpatchy]

I would recommend a heating plate instead of a light. And just a feeder for chicks would do. Same with water. Make sure the rimm is not wide for adult chickens, that way they don't drown. Other than that they will be fine by themselves.

 

[Isadora]

If you have a proper set up (water dishes not deep enough to drown in or get caught in, a feeder that holds a decent amount, a heat plate/lamp set up and secured safetly) there's no reason you can't leave the chicks to go to work. They'll be just fine.

Eta: also make sure they cannot escape the broader, either by flying over the barrier or slipping through any gaps.

 

[Chicken_Bureaucrat]

I check on them constantly when I am home, but aside from that...if I am at work I go home on lunch and check on them around 12, but I leave around 230-3am. Then I check on them when I get home around 330, they tuck theirselves in around 6pm.

They have full run of the coop, locked in, I leave the light on when I leave in the morning. Heat source stays on all day.

I wont be able to make it home for lunch, too far away, do you ever find an issue during lunch? I can at least set up a camera to check them throughout the day and leave if anything comes up.

I would recommend a heating plate instead of a light. And just a feeder for chicks would do. Same with water. Make sure the rimm is not wide for adult chickens, that way they don't drown. Other than that they will be fine by themselves.

Already have the heating plate coming in the mail! And I have chick sized feeders and waterers!

If you have a proper set up (water dishes not deep enough to drown in or get caught in, a feeder that holds a decent amount, a heat plate/lamp set up and secured safetly) there's no reason you can't leave the chicks to go to work. They'll be just fine.

Eta: also make sure they cannot escape the broader, either by flying over the barrier or slipping through any gaps.

If I put some plastic bird netting over top to make sure they can't fly out is that safe? They wont get tangled will they? Is there a better solution?

 

[Isadora]

If I put some plastic bird netting over top to make sure they can't fly out is that safe? They wont get tangled will they? Is there a better solution?

If they're very young, having a top might not be necessary yet. And I would be concerned one might get tangled in it if they could reach. How tall are your brooder walls?

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

I wont be able to make it home for lunch, too far away, do you ever find an issue during lunch? I can at least set up a camera to check them throughout the day and leave if anything comes up.

Not since I changed their set up.

The first was too small and I had some smothering issues.

But once I changed their set up last wk, I really don't NEED to check on them. They are 2wks old and taking very good care of theirselves.

As stated earlier. You need warmth, food and water to last the time you're gone. They will be just fine.

 

[Chicken_Bureaucrat]

If they're very young, having a top might not be necessary yet. And I would be concerned one might get tangled in it if they could reach. How tall are your brooder walls?

I'm planning on using a plastic tub with walls about 2 ft high. Haven't started yet though so I can switch this out with anything else suggested!

Not since I changed their set up.

The first was too small and I had some smothering issues.

But once I changed their set up last wk, I really don't NEED to check on them. They are 2wks old and taking very good care of theirselves.

As stated earlier. You need warmth, food and water to last the time you're gone. They will be just fine.

That makes sense! I'll maybe post my setup here then once I have it going for any critique to make sure they ill be safe!

 

[Bhubbard]

I usually check on mine about once a day before bed and top off feeders and water if necessary. I have everything set up ahead of time and just drop them in brooder and go back to work.

 

[nuthatched]

Chicks are plug n play. Just make sure they're set up for the day and head off to work.