4 wk old's first night out in the "big coop" and JG's coming on Weds!

[HelenB]

Well, with a great deal of help from DH reassembling the tractor I bought on craigslist, and last minute runs to the hardware store, I managed to prepare the "big coop" for my 4 young GLW's. I gave them a day or two of cooler climate indoors to prep them, and we'll see how it goes. I'm excited and nervous. I have a remote temperature sensor in the coop that gives me a readout in our bedroom. I checked on them a bit ago and they were huddled together under the heat lamp.... I put lots of shavings in to help insulate them from the cold, filled the waterer with warm water, duct taped one of the vents to reduce drafts, I think I covered all the bases.

I've been trying to reassure myself about how insane they were getting all cooped up, as it were, in the dog crate. They seemed excited and interested in the new place, but now I'm a bit worried about night time temps.

My Jersey Giant babies hatched today and are, or soon will be, on their way from Privett to my local feed store. I've got tomorrow to get things cleaned up and ready for my new babies.

At times like this it is wonderful knowing that there is a large community of folks out there that have been through the trauma and excitement of getting started with chicken.

Well, I'm off to check the coop design forum for inspiration,
Helen

 

[HelenB]

Well, we all made it through the night just fine. If we have a sunny afternoon I'll try letting them out into the run!

 

[MotherJean]

Helen, I'm over in the islands (Anacortes) and my Light Brahmas were transferred to their coop 2 weeks ago (with 100w light). They were 4 weeks old. Not fully feathered, but they did just fine. We've had rain and low 40's temps at night, but inside the coop the temp was about 55 in the cool corners and 70 under the light. They huddled a bit the first day, but soon adjusted to the cool and separated. I understand you wanting to give the girls a treat of sunshine and freedom in the run, but I think you'll find it difficult to get them back in the coop tonight. It really is better to keep them in the coop for 4 or 5 days before letting them out into the run. That way, they know the coop is their safe haven and will be eager to get back inside when the sun goes down. If you find yourself doing the "chicken roundup" tonight, you might consider keeping them cooped until the weekend.

 

[HelenB]

Thanks for the input. If they do go out today I'll crawl into the run with them, sit a while, and then escort them back inside. I also have some enthusiastic dogs to train to leave them alone.... This is all so exciting, huh?

 

[HelenB]

Mother Jean,
I should have listened! My DH was excited to see my babies get out in the world, so we opened the human door and the pop door, and in came the dogs and out went half of my little flock. I had four, now there are two, one DOA and the other last seen alive but MIA. I didn't have the gumption to watch my dogs scout for them and try to dash to the rescue. I'm so glad that I'm getting more babies tomorrow.
Helen

 

[MotherJean]

Aw, that's rough. Well, we live and we learn. Sadly, there aren't many dogs that can be trusted around chickens. If you don't have a way of confining your dogs while you go in and out of the coop/run, then I would suggest adding an extra entrance - just a wire cage with a door that you go into first, close that door, and then open the coop door. It's the sort of arrangement you'll see at dog parks and petting zoos. It allows people to enter and exit while keeping chickens inside and the dog's outside. Good luck with your new brood.

 

[HelenB]

Good idea. What we are probably going to do is add a loop to the invisible fence that we have that keeps the dogs in, so that they are kept out of the chicken and vegetable garden areas. In addition to loving fresh chicken they are also wild about the homemade organic fertilizer we use and love to excavate any freshly planted seeds to sniff that fishy smell....

 

[MotherJean]

OH, I like your idea better! Double benefit with the invisible fence.