6 weeks old and enjoying some pasture time...

[bilder]

They are getting pretty cramped in their pen, so I took 6 of them out and put them in with our adult pair this afternoon. After a few minutes of pecking order from the grown ups, they all settled down and quickly dug themselves a nice hole in the ground to rest in. Was fun watching them learn how to use the nipple waterer. They watched my hen and then got the hang of it within a few minutes.





Debating on if I should risk it and leave them out for the night or if I should round them up and put them in with the rest of the chicks. I may keep an eye on them for a few hours after dark and see how they are doing.

 

[Brandi Leigh]

Very pretty flock you have there!

 

[RonC]

They look to be fairly well feathered but not sure what your night time temperatures are. If it's not too cold and they are weaned from the heat lamp might make sure they go in the coop with the older birds. I wouldn't let them sleep on the ground outside.

 

[bilder]

Ended up putting them back in with the others. They would not roost with the grown ups and were trying to sleep on the ground, so I gathered them up and put them back with the rest of the chicks.

Will put them out during the day for a few more days and see how they do before I leave them overnight. Will finish the tractor next weekend and that will give them much better living quarters than what I currently provide.

 

[RonC]

It took quiet a while before mine actually started roosting in the coop. They would roost while in the brooder but not in the coop. It was chilly at night when I first put them in the coop and they would huddle on the floor in the shavings. Once the weather warmed up and they were about 2 1/2 months old they started roosting on their own. Think it might have something to do with staying warm.