Pekin Person Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Hi, I have 8 pekins hatched by incu which are 3 weeks old. They are in my boot room making a terrible mess and the box they are in is starting to get a little cramped (already moved them to a bgger one). What is the earliest I can move them outside? They will have much more room out there and it will be much more exciting for them, but I dont want them to get cold. I think they are pretty bored in their box, can I give them anything to keep them entertained in the meantime? They keep dustbathing in their food , can they have a dustbath, mind you there's not really the space for it. I could bring their run inside for more space, but not sure how the heat lamp would work with it. Sorry for the questions, have only ever hatched with broodies before. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Hi, I'm no expert but thought no one has answered you so I'd give my opinion. As your chicks hatched in an incy rather then under mum your chicks can't really go outside yet - prob not until 5-6 weeks as they still need the heat. I hatched some last year in an incy and I moved mine from a box to a large indoor rabbit cage (cost me about £40 I think but you can get them for less) - they are messy as they poo everywhere and as their feathers change their fluffy feathers come out. But you only have a few more weeks of mess before they can go out. When mine went out for about a week I think, I brought them back in every night - that then got tedious and they were really well feathered by then and no longer needing heat plus it was warm out so I left them out all the time - shutting their house up at night (obviously). I'm not sure about any entertainment for them, I didn't give mine any at 3 weeks as I seemed to be there a lot (wasting my time ) interacting with them, plus they are getting quite a bit by interacting with each other and scratching around their box. This year I hatched with a broody, and I whilst you don't get the interaction you get with hatching in an incy, it's sooo much easier! But I haven't bonded as well with mine this year as I did last year with the incy lot (prob a good job as they are all boys destined for the table!) Good luck with yours - a few more weeks and you'll not have all the mess (inside ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pekin Person Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Thanks for replying, I knew I had a few weeks to go! It is so much easier with a broody I am not good with mess! They seem to be s"Ooops, word censored!"ping a fair bit with each other, I am really hoping that doesnt mean they are all boys I have a rabbit hutch I could use, but the heat lamp wont get to all of it, is it OK to have the lamp at one end for them to go under if they feel chilly? It currently covers the whole box they are in.... I am amazed at the mess 8 little chicks can make, no sooner as I refill their food bowl as one of them has dustbathed in it and the bowl is empty again and the crumb is all over the floor with the feathers and poo I will be patient! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Using the rabbit cage would be a good idea if it gives them a bit more room, having the heat lamp at just one end of the cage is actually good as they can wander away from the heat and when/if they feel chilly they can go back under the lamp when they want, dont worry, they will find the heat when they want it. If the weather changes (its black and pouring down here today) you can start putting them out during the day in another week or so, but bring them back in over night, that will 'harden' them off. Can you hang the feeder up somehow? this would cure the dustbathing in their food problem. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I use an indoor guinea pig cage as my brooder. Yes they make a mess, but nothing a hoover & good dust can't sort out. You just have to bite your tongue & stop yourself cursing them when they flick out all their bedding, food etc. My hubby lets them out to stetch their wings on the flippin' kitchen floor! Hmmm! It's a mad house, but we love it & love our chooks & chicks! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pekin Person Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 My hubby lets them out to stetch their wings on the flippin' kitchen floor! Hmmm! It's a mad house, but we love it & love our chooks & chicks! Emma.x That might just push me over the edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joff Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 hi im not new to chickens but first time in incu if you have outside shed put a large box im useing a old tent with heat lamp to harden them off about 4 weaks all in all good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
