8 week old chicks....questions on what to do next...

[Frankiegirl]

Hi All -

I have 5 - 8 wk old chicks that are spending their days scratching in the yard now. I had a snafu with a bogus coop builder so I am having a one shipped and will be here next week. In the meantime, I have them corralled in the back yard during the day and they seem pretty happy with the larger space and freedom to stretch their wings. This is my first go with chicks so im not sure what I need to be prepared for over the next several weeks and months. I am building a new house that we will be moving to later in the summer so the coop I purchased will be temporary until they move into their new home.

In the evenings I have them staying in my garage to keep them safe, then in the morning it’s back out to their run which I watch throughout the day to be sure they are safe. I read to feed them chick feed until 18 weeks and have been adding in treats and they are gobbling up the weeds and “organic” snacks they scratch at on the ground. Can i toss a few black oil sunflower seeds to them? Should I still be supplementing with chick grit? I am happy to do that, but not sure how much to have out for them.

Secondly, at what age will they be fully grown? I know the coop that was ordered will not equal the “chicken math” space they should have but I think it will be fine for a couple of months. It said it holds up to 6-8 chickens....(everything I read leads me to think it will be too small;( ) I will do all I can to make sure they are safe....I feel like I am neglecting them even though they seem perfectly content. They have had their way in my garage, but the guilt is weighing on me that I am not doing all I can.

Other than securing a predator safe coop and feed...what am I missing? Once the coop arrives, what tips should i consider to fortify it against evil doers? I read a ton of posts so I am taking in a bunch of info, but being new to this has me a little freaked out.

Anything you can suggest would be welcomed. I realize this isn’t rocket science, but I have learned to love these little ones and want to do the best for them. THANK YOU!!

 

[pozees2]

Greetings! Your birds look like they are doing well! It is good to keep an eye on them while they are outside; as I'm sure you've read elsewhere, chicken wire is good for keeping them in but it won't keep much of anything else out. You might want to put the waterer and feeder up on some blocks to keep them cleaner ,and they often prefer to have them closer to chest level. I just would also see if you could possibly give them some shade in their run, maybe with a tarp? As far as grit, while they are outside they may not still need it, but if there are no little pebbles or bits of sand they can pick up, you can offer them a dish of grit free choice. You can switch them over to a grower, all flock, or flock raiser formulation if you like, and just keep them on that, giving them free choice oyster shell when they are about at point of lay, which would be anytime between 19 and 26 weeks of age.

What kind of coop are you getting?

 

[Frankiegirl]

Thanks for the information! My makeshift shanty was a Hail Mary to simply give them some room. Thanks for the chicken wire advice. I know it is simply a guard to keep them from getting away. Ive been WHF since the virus so i keep a pretty tight eye on them. The coop has been a disaster...I had a builder promise build one only to flake after the virus. Followed up with ordering one from UrbanNorthern Coops (Farmhouse Coop) and have heard nothing but terrible things about them. The run appears to be 6x8...again totally too small for long term and 2x4 in the run with the nesting boxes giving a bit more room. We should be moved before they start laying so someone suggested to take out the nesting box separators and let them have access to that too. I can extend the run to allow them more room for the time being.

I am disappointed that I have not been better prepared. Ive been a dog person all of my life and this is all new to me. Scary because these are living creatures and the store I got them from has been absolutely no help. The local TSC has been much better but they need to be in a coop I know. Thanks again for the info.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sure they can have some BOSS at this point. I would still make grit available, though they probably should have pullet size grit by this point.

They'll be close (90-95%) to full size at around... 16-18 weeks?

Focus on getting the permanent coop done... they can make do with a smaller temporary coop while they're still younger.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Hi All -

I have 5 - 8 wk old chicks that are spending their days scratching in the yard now. I had a snafu with a bogus coop builder so I am having a one shipped and will be here next week. In the meantime, I have them corralled in the back yard during the day and they seem pretty happy with the larger space and freedom to stretch their wings. This is my first go with chicks so im not sure what I need to be prepared for over the next several weeks and months. I am building a new house that we will be moving to later in the summer so the coop I purchased will be temporary until they move into their new home.

In the evenings I have them staying in my garage to keep them safe, then in the morning it’s back out to their run which I watch throughout the day to be sure they are safe. I read to feed them chick feed until 18 weeks and have been adding in treats and they are gobbling up the weeds and “organic” snacks they scratch at on the ground. Can i toss a few black oil sunflower seeds to them? Should I still be supplementing with chick grit? I am happy to do that, but not sure how much to have out for them.

Secondly, at what age will they be fully grown? I know the coop that was ordered will not equal the “chicken math” space they should have but I think it will be fine for a couple of months. It said it holds up to 6-8 chickens....(everything I read leads me to think it will be too small;( ) I will do all I can to make sure they are safe....I feel like I am neglecting them even though they seem perfectly content. They have had their way in my garage, but the guilt is weighing on me that I am not doing all I can.

Other than securing a predator safe coop and feed...what am I missing? Once the coop arrives, what tips should i consider to fortify it against evil doers? I read a ton of posts so I am taking in a bunch of info, but being new to this has me a little freaked out.

Anything you can suggest would be welcomed. I realize this isn’t rocket science, but I have learned to love these little ones and want to do the best for them. THANK YOU!!

May I see a closer pic of the EE in the lower corner? She looks like mine!

 

[birdlover2]

Thanks for the information! My makeshift shanty was a Hail Mary to simply give them some room. Thanks for the chicken wire advice. I know it is simply a guard to keep them from getting away. Ive been WHF since the virus so i keep a pretty tight eye on them. The coop has been a disaster...I had a builder promise build one only to flake after the virus. Followed up with ordering one from UrbanNorthern Coops (Farmhouse Coop) and have heard nothing but terrible things about them. The run appears to be 6x8...again totally too small for long term and 2x4 in the run with the nesting boxes giving a bit more room. We should be moved before they start laying so someone suggested to take out the nesting box separators and let them have access to that too. I can extend the run to allow them more room for the time being.

I am disappointed that I have not been better prepared. Ive been a dog person all of my life and this is all new to me. Scary because these are living creatures and the store I got them from has been absolutely no help. The local TSC has been much better but they need to be in a coop I know. Thanks again for the info.

Yikes, sounds like the virus has made this difficult for you! My mother's coop was built out of an old treehouse that was taken down, and built by hand. I did help, but don't know much of how to build one all by myself! Praying for a good coop for you in the proper timing. Other than the coop you seem to be doing just fine with them, and they're beautiful looking chickens btw

 

[Frankiegirl]

May I see a closer pic of the EE in the lower corner? She looks like mine!

Her name is Farrah Faucett. Her wings were like angels when I brought her home. I almost lost her to a prolapse vent in her first week! She’s lovely!

 

[Frankiegirl]

Yikes, sounds like the virus has made this difficult for you! My mother's coop was built out of an old treehouse that was taken down, and built by hand. I did help, but don't know much of how to build one all by myself! Praying for a good coop for you in the proper timing. Other than the coop you seem to be doing just fine with them, and they're beautiful looking chickens btw

Sincerest thanks! I really adore these birds and want the best for them. I appreciate all of your information.

 

[Peggyjom]

Thanks for the information! My makeshift shanty was a Hail Mary to simply give them some room. Thanks for the chicken wire advice. I know it is simply a guard to keep them from getting away. Ive been WHF since the virus so i keep a pretty tight eye on them. The coop has been a disaster...I had a builder promise build one only to flake after the virus. Followed up with ordering one from UrbanNorthern Coops (Farmhouse Coop) and have heard nothing but terrible things about them. The run appears to be 6x8...again totally too small for long term and 2x4 in the run with the nesting boxes giving a bit more room. We should be moved before they start laying so someone suggested to take out the nesting box separators and let them have access to that too. I can extend the run to allow them more room for the time being.

I am disappointed that I have not been better prepared. Ive been a dog person all of my life and this is all new to me. Scary because these are living creatures and the store I got them from has been absolutely no help. The local TSC has been much better but they need to be in a coop I know. Thanks again for the info.

I have a simple 12 x 12 tuff shed. We cut a dog door in it. I have chicken guard door opener and closer. I placed a tarp that covers the entire floor they have shavings on the floor and stacked straw bails with laying boxes. With 2 doors. It works fantastic for 28 birds a goat and a rabbit. There are two boards to fence out the goat from the chicken feed.