3-week old chicks first time outside

[Sherielu]

The 3-week old chicks were getting pretty crowded in their plastic swimming pool surrounded with chicken wire, so I decided to make them an outside yard.

I used an entire 2x4x48 100' roll plus some extra for their area. I thought I would bend two feet wide chicken wire and hardware cloth that I have around to line the outside of the fence and lay on the ground where I will cover it with logs and rocks to prevent digging chicken eaters.

I have the wire yard connected to the chicken house but have not cut out a door yet.

I grabbed five of the biggest and friskiest chicks out of the pool and put them in this big open play area. I thought they would run around and explore and have fun, but no not these guys, they piled into a corner on top of one another and tried to hide.

I made a smaller chicken wire circle inside the big pen. I put them in there so they would stay out of the corners!

How long before they are used to the great outdoors?

 

[Fancypants1]

We took our 2 week old chicks out last weekend for a quick fun in the sun session. I thought they were going to run and play and be merry - nope - they didn't move 1 inch - just stood there and they were not sure what to do. It will be interesting to hear how long it takes some to adjust to being outside.

 

[Sherielu]

I know! I thought they would be happy to run around and explore but ours stood around for a bit and then piled in the corner on top of one another. I will try to get the sliding door cut into the chicken house today so all of them can come and go as they please. I think they need an older hen to show them what to do!

Sherie

 

[Fancypants1]

Well it was 80 degrees out last night so we took them out again - this time they explored, pecked at the ground/grass. After 45 minutes they didn't want to go back into the tote. I guess they understand what they are supposed to do out there now. Just keep letting them out and they will get used to it

 

[Heather7]

I took my week and 1/2 old chicks and put them in a small play area yesterday. They were trying to get back in their cage until they realized there were gnats. Then it was game on. They were fun to watch!

 

[Fancypants1]

I took my week and 1/2 old chicks and put them in a small play area yesterday. They were trying to get back in their cage until they realized there were gnats. Then it was game on. They were fun to watch!

What breed are the yellow ones?? Looks like they has some fun!

 

[Heather7]

The dark yellow ones are Red Stars and the light ones are Buff Orps. They sure did. They were running and flying and pecking and panting. LOL! Poor things. Tonight they will be in the shade.

 

[Sherielu]

I had to force mine out of chicken house this morning! Once they were all out in the yard they started enjoying themselves walking around and looking for bugs. I built a little ramp for them to use chicken door, but I think it will be a struggle to get them back inside.
Sherie