will they outgrow the XL plastic bin?

[attached_mama]

I have 6 chicks in an XL rubbermaid tote brooder. They are growing SO fast! They are only 4 weeks old. Can I keep them in there till fully feathered, or start finding an alternative? The coop is almost ready, with electric, should I move them outside, with the heat lamp?

 

[gritsar]

As soon as your coop is finished you can most likely move them out, with the heat lamp if necessary for the temps. where you are.
SAFETY FIRST: Please secure your heat lamp in two ways. Example - by a chain and with zip ties. More than one person has lost their entire flock and coop to fire.

 

[Tala]

Mine go outside at 2 weeks old (with a heat lamp of course). You probably want to get rid of the dust and poop as soon as you can --- so when the coop is ready just move them on out! They will LOOOOOVE being outside!!!

 

[kathyinmo]

I never leave mine in a tote for more than a week or so.

It is easy to make a big roomy brooder out of cardboard boxes. Tear them down, and use a few of them to rebuild a larger area. I use 2 saw horses with a 2x4 across them, to hold the heat lamp.