snhchick
Chirping
- Jul 6, 2015
- 72
- 4
- 59
Hi,
I just joined the list along with my three Silkie chicks and my 8-year-old son who promises that he will take care of the chickens. I've been reading lots of posts, and am in a bit of a panic about getting a secure outdoor setup for our new family members. One of the chicks is three weeks old, the other two are six weeks. They are still in a Rubbermaid brooder in my dining room and seem to be doing OK.
I am getting part of a stall in my barn set up for their coop, with plans to expand the indoor space before winter. I'm feeling pressured to get the kids outdoors but am concerned about the three week old escaping. We're also on a budget, so I've been trying to find inexpensive materials on Craig's List. I am considering getting a 4'Lx4'Wx6'T pet run made of chain link as the structure for the outdoor run attached to their coop. I know that this is a bit on the small side and that i would need to add hardware cloth on the sides and something on the top, but I'm drawn to the security of the basic cage. I plan to use some sort of mobile pen/tractor in good weather. Given our severe winters, do you think that they will actually make use of a bigger outdoor pen? I have more space, so one thought is to start out with the small run and fence in the larger area as i find materials on Craig's List.
I'm excited to be a part of this community. I have already learned so much, although I'm definitely feeling overwhelmed by all of the information!
I just joined the list along with my three Silkie chicks and my 8-year-old son who promises that he will take care of the chickens. I've been reading lots of posts, and am in a bit of a panic about getting a secure outdoor setup for our new family members. One of the chicks is three weeks old, the other two are six weeks. They are still in a Rubbermaid brooder in my dining room and seem to be doing OK.
I am getting part of a stall in my barn set up for their coop, with plans to expand the indoor space before winter. I'm feeling pressured to get the kids outdoors but am concerned about the three week old escaping. We're also on a budget, so I've been trying to find inexpensive materials on Craig's List. I am considering getting a 4'Lx4'Wx6'T pet run made of chain link as the structure for the outdoor run attached to their coop. I know that this is a bit on the small side and that i would need to add hardware cloth on the sides and something on the top, but I'm drawn to the security of the basic cage. I plan to use some sort of mobile pen/tractor in good weather. Given our severe winters, do you think that they will actually make use of a bigger outdoor pen? I have more space, so one thought is to start out with the small run and fence in the larger area as i find materials on Craig's List.
I'm excited to be a part of this community. I have already learned so much, although I'm definitely feeling overwhelmed by all of the information!