Will this cage work in this coop for 4 week chicks

[C Siena]

We have a cage 23"T x 44"w x 56"L and it will fit in the back right corner of the coop. I would cover the top, 2 sides protected with coop walls. I will wrap the exposed sides with 1/2" netting.
The chicks are 4 weeks old tomorrow...I know I should have started sooner but had 2 outdoor ext cords out on loan and they were retrieved yesterday. The temp tonight and tomorrow will be 34/37 then lows of 48-55 the following 10 days. They have been fine inside without a heat source at 75, for about a week. I just made a MHP as they had a heat lamp.
1) would this set up be okay for them?
2) should I set up the MHP in the brooder for today and tomorrow to see if they will go under it? Could be difficult as I have another temporary brooder for the 15 chicks that hatched Sat & Sun and have a heat lamp keeping the room warm. I may have to move them.

Any guidance is appreciated. I would like to move them Safely for a few weeks of see don't touch and watch interactions. I will probably get them outside during this time. It has been wet/muddy for 2 weeks!
Please excuse the large pictures, I'll learn how to insert smaller ones.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

You never mentioned how many chicks for your pen. I presume from the picture, it's four. That should work, but I have another idea I think I'd do...

What if you made a door in that pen that the older chickens couldn't get through? Then these four could come out into the coop, and if picked on, could run back in.

It looks like there are already some cubicle things in your coop on the left side they could hide under if chased. Maybe lean a couple of pallets and/or wooden boxes, etc., against the walls for other places for them to ditch an attacker. Put a few things, like "clutter," on all sides of the coop so one could never get trapped without a way to get cover or back to their pen.

If they get chilled, they'll figure out your MHP is where they can warm up.

 

[C Siena]

Hi,

You never mentioned how many chicks for your pen. I presume from the picture, it's four. That should work, but I have another idea I think I'd do...

What if you made a door in that pen that the older chickens couldn't get through? Then these four could come out into the coop, and if picked on, could run back in.

It looks like there are already some cubicle things in your coop on the left side they could hide under if chased. Maybe lean a couple of pallets and/or wooden boxes, etc., against the walls for other places for them to ditch an attacker. Put a few things, like "clutter," on all sides of the coop so one could never get trapped without a way to get cover or back to their pen.

If they get chilled, they'll figure out your MHP is where they can warm up.

Thanks. There are 6, another CQ and Barred Rock (that was supposed to be a Blk Star). The left side is nest boxes and not safe as the girls fill them, sometimes 2 at a time while another yells at them to get out for her. There is another smaller coop with boxes but nooo, now all but 3 of 17 hens want the bigger coop.
I can and planned on placing clutter/hiding spots. I was not going to let them explore the coop for 3 days to get used to the move, new surroundings.

I was going to sweep the current straw further into the coop and put cardboard with fresh straw and shavings for their flooring. I'm hoping that by 3 weeks, they can be pretty much integrated as I would like to get the 2 day chicks out there when they are 3 weeks. I'm not sure if I can put a second brooder/set up in the coop.

Thanks for your help!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Plan sounds fine to me. I would set up and show them the MHP inside first, so they learn what it is before you move them outside, in case some of them want to use it. At 4 weeks at 40-50s low temps they really shouldn't need it though, so if you find they're not using it you can remove it for use with the younger chicks.

 

[C Siena]

Plan sounds fine to me. I would set up and show them the MHP inside first, so they learn what it is before you move them outside, in case some of them want to use it. At 4 weeks at 40-50s low temps they really shouldn't need it though, so if you find they're not using it you can remove it for use with the younger chicks.

Thank you. Tomorrow I am going to move them into the garage, while I set up their cage in the coop. I will place the MHP in the brooder and watch what they do...probably get on top. Everyone wants the highest spot.
The newly hatched are in a 2' x 2' box, which will last for a week. The other one, soon to be vacant, is 4' x 2', which I hope will last them until they are 2.5 weeks. If not, I will separate into 2 brooders for the last several days, until they move into the coop. I did not think I would have that many hatch, but pleased.
I have read you article on brooding outside and thought, I will do that. We have had so much rain the last 3 weeks, we're building an ark. Muddy, muddy, muddy. I kept them inside.