dashman1319
Chirping
Hi all. This website has been crucial for me the past month as I prepared for and spent my first three weeks with my new flock of five hens. I received two Barred Rocks, two Rhode Island Reds, and one Welsummer in the mail and from a book or two and the posts on these forums, we've kept them alive and thriving for just over three weeks!
My question relates to moving chicks outside to brood in their future coop. I've read so many threads about this already, but the answers really seem to vary depending on location/climate and time of year, so I'd appreciate some thoughts with my specifics in mind from those of you who've done this before.
Basically, I decided to try moving my chicks (again, about 3 1/2 weeks old with feathers coming in all over) from their indoor brooder out into their coop today for a number of reasons, mainly an anxious cat, allergies, and the smell that was starting to build up in their room if I didn't change out the pine shavings constantly. We live in Chapel Hill, NC, where the summers are very warm and humid. To be exact, we're in a bit of a cold spell now, meaning nights are never below 70, and day temps hover around 80-85.
Our chicks have hung out in the coop outside during the day before and seemed fine with the temps, and I installed the heat lamp for use at night. I kind of built up cardboard walls in the closed up section of the coop to keep drafts out, and laid down plenty of pine shavings. They are far off the ground and well-protected from predators. My major concern is their response to rain - it shouldn't get wet in the coop, but the air can be pretty damp and humid here during rainy spells.
My plan is just careful monitoring, plenty of water on offer, and listening to your feedback. Thanks in advance, and I'm looking forward to getting more involved!
PS - I'll include some pics of the set up in case that helps.
My question relates to moving chicks outside to brood in their future coop. I've read so many threads about this already, but the answers really seem to vary depending on location/climate and time of year, so I'd appreciate some thoughts with my specifics in mind from those of you who've done this before.
Basically, I decided to try moving my chicks (again, about 3 1/2 weeks old with feathers coming in all over) from their indoor brooder out into their coop today for a number of reasons, mainly an anxious cat, allergies, and the smell that was starting to build up in their room if I didn't change out the pine shavings constantly. We live in Chapel Hill, NC, where the summers are very warm and humid. To be exact, we're in a bit of a cold spell now, meaning nights are never below 70, and day temps hover around 80-85.
Our chicks have hung out in the coop outside during the day before and seemed fine with the temps, and I installed the heat lamp for use at night. I kind of built up cardboard walls in the closed up section of the coop to keep drafts out, and laid down plenty of pine shavings. They are far off the ground and well-protected from predators. My major concern is their response to rain - it shouldn't get wet in the coop, but the air can be pretty damp and humid here during rainy spells.
My plan is just careful monitoring, plenty of water on offer, and listening to your feedback. Thanks in advance, and I'm looking forward to getting more involved!
PS - I'll include some pics of the set up in case that helps.
