When to leave the brooder?

[kateseidel]

Wow - kind of an overwhelming site! I am a first-timer, and will be ordering 8 Buff Orpingtons and 8 Silver Laced Wyandottes at the end of February. Our local feed store says too many of them freeze to death on the loading dock of our big city post office waiting for transfer to our little town post office before then. Anyway, I have built a 2 foot x 4 foot brooder box, and had thought they could live there until 6-8 weeks. But now I am thinking that box is too small for that many chicks? How long can I keep them there before moving them to the great outdoors? They are going to be free range chicks with a big coop (unless the predators get them, and then we'll look at a pen).

Kate
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[dickies chics]

Where are you located? How cold does it get in yor area?

 

[GraceAK]

Yeah, where are you?

Technically, that brooder is about the right size. Each chick gets 1 square foot, which is technically enough, but it might get crowded toward the end. It should be just fine, though.

 

[dovecanyon]

your brooder looks excellent, and plenty big enough. the others are correct that we need to know where you live for advice on moving the chicks outdoors.

 

[kateseidel]

I'm in the Charlotte, NC area. I know - we're supposed to be the deep south!! Last week we were in the teens, and we will have freezes up until the first of April (then moving swiftly to 95 degree heat).

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Kate

 

[littlekit]

You will know when it's time. The chicks are going nuts, the smell is out of control, and they have enough feathers to keep warm. I put mine out at about five weeks.

Raising chicks is great fun. I can't wait to do it again. Your brooder and coop are gorgeous. I used a cardboard box (several really!) for mine and it worked but that is awesome. Good Job!

 

[jaboo81]

when everytime u open your lid to clean, water, and feed, and half of them fly out , r roost on the side of the box u will know when it is time!!