[gracie]

It looks as if the trunk I have will be outgrown by approx 4 weeks. Dear hubby would make something else if required. I was wondering if there was any reason that I couldn't put them in the raised chicken house with the heat lamp. They would be locked in to make sure they didn't get cold unless the weather was warm and i could let them in the run for an appropriate time. They would be in darkness other than the lamp so I could mesh the access to the nest boxes but open the lid during the day so they got daylight.
Just an idea to save hubby more work, but obviously want best for the chicks.

[daisy1990]

you would need to be really careful- hens dont do well in drafts and coops can be drafty, as they get bigger and feather up they will roost together and fluff up to keep warm, but chicks are less able to do this.  Also there is still danger of ground frosts until June so a heat lamp may struggle to keep the temperature up overnight if the chicks are outdoors

[gracie]

Thanks for the feedback. I will consider what the weather is like at the time. We tend to not get frosts here on the coast now. The coop is going to be seletexed for insulation under the final layer of ply, so don't really think they will be much cooler than the garage, as anything bigger than the box they are in won't fit in my utility room.

[Dominic]

I think they'd be better being cramped inside than cold outside.
Give them some "free ranging time" inside if they look like they really need it.
How big is the trunk?

[gracie]

There is a photo on my post introducing our chicks with photos. I guess I just have to react to these things when I can see they need it. It's just hard to imagine them growing to that sort of size in a short period of time.

[Dominic]

Yeah they'll definatly be outgrowing that at four weeks.
Its scary how quick they grow, we wouldnt get 2 in the box we brought all 4 of them home in, and they had loads of space.

In another four weeks, they should be fine outside in the run during the day, and then back inside over night, which would help a lot.

[gracie]

What did you put yours in at 4 weeks then. Mine are flying already, hence the wire mesh roof was made. Just wondering what I could get hubby to build. I guess they could go in the toilet in the garage if we put a barrier across the door and lined the floor, but Im not sure that would be any warmer than the coop. Still using the lamp in either situation.

[gracie]

do you all keep the chicks in the house until the 6 week period, when it seems most people move them to the coop.

[Mulberry1990]

Our chicks are about 5 weeks old now and we've just moved them down to the shed, they've been in an indoor rabbit cage since we got them and are still going to be in there for a bit longer until it's warmer outside. They still have their heat lamp but we only turn it on for them at night now for them to get used to not having it.
I'm hoping they can go out soon, the shed's only little and I now have to climb over bags of animals food to get in, and the chicks are making it smelly!

[Casey76]

If the coop is draught free they will be OK outside during the day if the weather is mild, and the chicks have a reasonable covering of feathers.

I have some 4 weeks old, and I put them outside yesterday, no heat... BUT our weather is very mild (20°C during the day and 10°C at night), and there are 25 chicks to make a very decent huddle.

If you are a bit worried, you can use a dull emitter or electric hen during the night if you only have a few chicks.  I wouldn't use a heat lamp in a coop due to the fire risk.

[Dominic]

i have two 30x20 inch dog crates.

[gracie]

My apogies, it's not a heat lamp it's a lamp with a 60 w. Fireglow bulb.
I have a neighbour who has 5 dogs and every type of domestic pet imaginable so I will go and see her tomorrow to see if she has a cage I can borrow.

[Squiggly]

Hopefully she can help you out with a cage or something similar then 

Ill have mine in an indoor rabbit cage and I hope they won't outgrow that before they can go outside!