Anyone raising CX right now and getting ready to move them outside?

[sfchixn]

Well, last night a Great Horned Owl tried to get at the chicks. I put a camera inside the tractor which detected some sound strange sounds around 5am. I went out to investigate and a Great Horned Owl took off from the nearby structure. All chicks were safe, however, and it was down to the low 40's (41 degrees) last night.

I had spent some extra time in the evening to make sure they were all ok and at sundown. They all put themselves to bed in the huddle box.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Eventful first night! Glad everyone made it through.

 

[Xouie]

Got the chicks outside and installed their huddle boxes (2 x 50 chick plate brooders in some fruit boxes and covered by heavy canvas tarp).

That is so cool! Now I’m contemplating the possibility of outdoor brooding for my next batch.

 

[sfchixn]

The meat chicks seem to generate so much of their own heat that if you have the means to keep them dry and secure and have source of power for the heat plates, this can be done relatively easily!

 

[sfchixn]

The owl was back again this morning. I usually don't get up this early!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Daaammmmm that is spooky

 

[sfchixn]

First two nights outside, stalked by owl.

Third night when we split the chicks into two pens, something tried breaking into the pens. I didn't think that there were any losses because no blood or feathers, but on the fourth night, I did a count which revealed that we had lost three.

Now shored up these chicks pens like Fort Knox. We're waiting on the electric fence to arrive which was back-ordered until Feb 1. Hopefully no longer than that.

 

[Tre3hugger]

WoW! Is that mesh stuff metal or plastic? What kind of electric netting did you get?

 

[sfchixn]

WoW! Is that mesh stuff metal or plastic? What kind of electric netting did you get?

That's razor sharp metal wire which is why I was expecting to see blood if any chicks were taken!

 

[sfchixn]

Well, how did we do? This Sunday they'll be about 7.5 weeks old and heading to freezer camp. I had to cull four two weeks ago due to ascites. But we still have 51 to process on Sunday.