We have had our chicks for 2 weeks now. They do grow fast! I noticed feather development started on their wings and now is developing along their backs. Some of the larger chicks are able to fly across the brooder (an enclosure or other structure, usually heated, used for rearing young chickens or other fowl). Unfortunately, the City of Lakewood does not allow roosters so we intend to keep the pullet (female chickens under 1 year old) and sell or give away the cockerels (make chickens under 1 year old). Let me know if you are interested in taking one or more of the boys off our hands.

The temperature in a brooder should be 90-100 degrees for the first week or so, then can be reduced by 5 degrees each week thereafter, until the chicks have their feathers (5-8 weeks old). The heat lamp is hanging from a chain. We have been raising the heat lamp to lower the temperature in the brooder. A good rule of thumb is, if the chicks are all huddled together, they are too cold. If the chicks are panting, then it’s too hot. This has been how I have determined if the brooder has been warm enough.

Building a permanent coop is going to take longer than we expected. We built a larger brooder/tractor for the flock. The brooder/tractor will be housed outside under our deck which will give access to an outlet so that the heat lamp is still available. It does have wheels so that on the warmer days we can roll the flock out in the grass to eat all the bugs!