New to having chickens and building my first coop

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pariseau86

pariseau86

Hatching
Apr 6, 2016
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So I have some baby chicks that are going to be ready to go outside in about a month and I have started building the Run it is 48" wide 8' Long and 5' high. I am almost finished with the Run just need to add chicken wire to the top and a door. My question is do I need to put a floor in for them or will they be ok in the Sand. I live in Boron, CA were it can get really hot during the summer months. Any help is appreciated.

THANKS



 
I heard and read sand is actually good for them. There are little things to help the heat-freeze corn kernels in water inside muffin tins and let them go to town pecking away lol. Also freeze bowls of veggies or whatever and do the same. You really need a canopy over them to keep out the direct sun. Make sure water has the electrolytes in it also.
Good luck
 
Do they have packets that I need to add to their water so they get the electrolytes? So it would be ok to keep the bottom open and put it in my backyard.

Thanks
 
pariseau86 said:
Do they have packets that I need to add to their water so they get the electrolytes? So it would be ok to keep the bottom open and put it in my backyard.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes they do!! I tried to attach pics but not sure if they showed. One is found at TSC or regular farm stores or of course online. SAV A CHIC PRODUCT: electrolyte comes in packet of 3. Give 1 packet in 1 gallon fresh, cool water; each day and on hotter days give more than one/ like hot estate part of day.
VITAL PACK: vitamins & electrolytes comes in large packet. 1/10 tsp mix with 1 Gallon cool water (same as little packet do on hot days).
Seriously, I'd freeze or halfway freeze your waterer OR fill w ice then water and add the packets. This is what I'm going to do on the hottest days when they're in the coop (we're in Ohio, chicks will be in coop in July and next set will be in by October).
 
...oh yeah forgot to ask how many chicks do you have? How old are they now? Don't forget to wean them out before only outside, let them be in the run area for a few hrs at different times of the day. I'm not sure what your chics look like yet but make sure they have their feathers all in so they can handle the weather and defend themselves also. My hatchery says 7weeks at the earliest before full time in the coup and run but depending on weather, I'll train them outside several hrs a day beforehand. (I want free range but not free range so much I have to search for hours for them)
 
We have 11 chicks 6 are only a week old and wont go outside for awhile but we have some that I believe are 3 weeks old and getting big fast.. My next questions is would I be ok with just 6 nesting boxes for 11 chickens...
 
pariseau86 said:
We have 11 chicks 6 are only a week old and wont go outside for awhile but we have some that I believe are 3 weeks old and getting big fast.. My next questions is would I be ok with just 6 nesting boxes for 11 chickens...
Click to expand...

Most definitely that is fine, usually they all tend to use the same one:/ I'd put those ceramic egg in each box, I've heard that does help.
Try adding chicken herbs (can't remember specifically which herbs) to the straw inside the boxes, this relaxes them, keeps mites away and gives them a nice treat while keeping them healthy too). I'll find out and let you know ASAP.
To introduce the bigger ones outside, I'd start couple hrs a day then increase to half the day then all day then over night (one time period a week), you want to make sure they have their full feathers and can protect themselves too. I wouldn't say they'd be ready for another couple wks at least.
 
I'm in the same boat. New to this. Getting 6 Leg horns. Good luck.

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