4 weeks old

[ASP]

I recently decided with the new ordinance in Phoenix that I should have backyard chickens ! So I got a coop outside but currently they are inside in a small animal playpen tent. At 4 weeks old 2 are starting to feather quite well 3rd is just a little behind fuzzy but big and the Fourth is growing but still small lots of fuzz. I don't remember what kinds they are but with these different rates of growth I want to wait until all are feathered to go outside right?...Regarding outside my coop is on wheels how do I secure from predators? We have coyotes, snakes, owls, hawks, bobcats etc in N. Phoenix I have a block wall but that only works for a few predators! Thanks for your advice!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska! Thank's for sharing the picture's your Chicks are Beautiful! You might have to Build a Predator proof Coop. The Best of Luck with your Chicks.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[swamphiker]

Welcome to BYC and to chicken keeping! It's quite typical for chicks to feather at different rates. Some breeds mature faster than others, males tend to get feathers later, and some individuals are just earlier/later than others.

Since it's hot where you live, there is more flexibility to the time when you can transition chicks from the brooder to outdoors as long as you have a predator proof place to put them. Hardware cloth is the key. There are a lot of great resources for coop construction and chicken housing at the BYC Learning Center: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/learning-center.11/

Make sure to transition them gradually so they can get used to the shifts and to keep an eye on their behavior. During the day, 4-week-old chicks should be active rather than huddled together for warmth.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. Pictures of your coop and run, will help us help you.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Adorable photos, thanks for sharing! You will probably need to build a run to keep them safe and only free range with supervision. I'm in New Mexico next door, the predators are abundant. As mentioned above, it would help if you show us your set up.

Welcome to our community!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[muddy75]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and welcome to BYC. Glad that you joined this poultry loving community.

 

[sourland]

Good morning, and welcome to BYC.