A few questions before moving to the coop (temp & food/water placement)

[mommabird]

Hi there! We have six leghorns who will be 6 weeks old in just a day or two. The coop is almost finished and should be ready for our girls this weekend. I just had a couple of questions befor I move them.

1. We are in MD and the night temps are still in the 50's here. Is that going to be too cool for them? If so, would the heat lamp I've been using for the brooder work for the coop? If so, would I put it near the roosts or in a different area? I'm also worried about the fire hazard of having it in the coop where I can't monitor it as well as I did here in the house.
2. We've built a coop with an attached run. They'll be allowed free range time in a few weeks but wanted them to get used to the coop & run. Anyway, this is probably a silly question but should food & water be placed both inside the coop as well as in the run or just in the coop only? And, is it better to hang the food & water or just set it up on something for them (as far as keeping it clean, etc).

I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions but that's it for now.

Thanks for your help.

 

[chicmom]

Hello!

Very good questions! Here's your answers:

If they are fully feathered, you can put them into the coop safely without worrying about them getting too cold. They will cluster together at night and keep eachother warm. No heat lamp is necessary.

For a few days to a week, you might have to lock them in the coop at night. They might stay in their run and peep when it starts getting dark because they haven't learned to go inside yet, so they need some help. Get them inside each night at dusk, and repeat this until one day, you'll go check on them and you'll find they've gone inside on their own. AMAZING! LOL

With the food and water, I've learned that you keep the food inside the coop and the water outside, as long as you leave the coop doors open to the run. If you keep them locked inside the coop, then put the water inside with them. Over night, they don't need the water because once it get dark, they will just sleep.

The reason the food is kept inside is because, out in the run, it falls on the ground and gets rotten. Then if they eat it, it can make them very sick, plus wet chick crumbles are HORRIBLY STINKY! LOL

For the food, you can do it either way: Set the food up on something right at head level for the chicks. This way, they can't get their feet into it and scratch out all the food. If you hang it, hang it right at their head level as well. I prefer hanging.

Take care and have a wonderful day. I hope I've helped,
Sharon

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I think you covered it all

 

[drpurl]

Thank you for the tips! I was wondering the same thing.

 

[mommabird]

Sharon, thanks so much! That helps tremendously! I'm so excited to have the coop finished and introduce them to their home. It has been a real project...my husband keeps saying "All of this for 6 chicks????"