dobermanacres
In the Brooder
Took my 4 outside yesterday when it was +30 here in Alberta (roughly 90F) and had them in the dog's kennel (which he hasn't used in ages). The chicks were wider than the gaps...but my smartest one figured out how to wiggle through...and the others followed...so it was a short-lived outside adventure! I spent this afternoon using zip ties to wrap the outside in chicken wire so they can't wiggle out the next time. Looking like it won't be that warm again for awhile, but they loved being out thereFinally got the motivation to set up a way for my five 3-1/2-week-old and one 2-1/2-week-old chicks to get some outdoor time. I salvaged scrap from an old box trailer I tore apart a couple weeks ago and some leftover chicken wire, and put together a little outdoor playpen! Nothing fancy and definitely not predator proof, but enough to keep them safe and contained while I'm at home to monitor them. It's been 73 degrees F all afternoon, with the hot New Mexico sun providing them an opportunity to get real warm if too chilly.
They of course freaked out as I put them in a "travel container" ... but before I even took them out, as soon as the sun hit them, a couple already had legs and wings splayed out enjoying the rays!!! My DH didn't know about the sunbathing thing, and I laughed as he thought the quick trip outside had already killed them...
SUCH A GOOD IDEA!!!! They've been having a blast all afternoon, scratching around, dust bathing and sunning themselves. They are obviously so happy!
Hmmmm, I'm beginning to see that the biggest threat to my chickies is not the coons or yotes.... but my beloved pup....
