Are my chicks too young to be outside on their own all day?

[LazerClaire]

They range in age to just under 4 weeks to 6 weeks. They're in a small cage made of hardwire cloth, it's enclosed on all sides, but it is not affixed to anything. I left them with food & water & a little box they can hide in. It is in the 90s but I put them in a shady spot. Is all day alone like this too much for them?

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

How long is all day alone? I would not leave them unless they are completely protected. Does this cage have a bottom too?

 

[kjt135]

Just make sure they have plenty of water and a cool place to hide and they should be fine. Mine are 3 weeks old and they are outside in a cage all day.

 

[gardendufus]

IMHO they are certainly old enough, but the condition you describe is not secure enough. But then you only say a small cage. Small to me is something less than about 3 X 4. Small to you may be larger.

Also, I know nothing of where you are situated. Is your yard secure from dogs, cats and other predators?

Everything you might do is a risk. Only you can assess both the amount of risk you have and how much risk you are willing to take. I tend to be a bit 'chicken'. LOL

 

[LazerClaire]

The cage is 2x2x4. Half of the 6 chicks I have are bantams. I think the cage is large enough for now. I'm constructing something larger for the future. My dog stays in during the day. I did find a neighbors house cat in my yard the other day. I think hardwire cloth is pretty sturdy, I see it recommended for most chicken coops for keeping predators out. Like I said it is enclosed on all sides, that means the bottom too. I do know there are many predators in my area I have heard foxes, coyotes & sometimes see hawks but don't the foxes & coyotes hunt nocturnally? I take do the chicks into my house at night. What could be recommended to make this situation more secure? Also a bit of history for the cage, it was given to me by a neighbor who used to keep rabbits in it. One night something knocked the cage off the hutch they had it on. The cage was not damaged but the rabbit was mortally wounded, so I do think the cage is is sturdy.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Broody hens sometimes wean chicks as young as 4 weeks. I've had a broody wean hers at 3 weeks in the summer and those chicks were fine on their own. It does depend on the weather. Yours are old enough to be outside during the day.

I don't know your low temperatures, but if you have daytime highs of 90, your lows should not be a problem at all. Rain should not bother them, but giving them an area to get out of rain if they wish would be a good idea. They will probably be out looking for worms in the rain once they get used to it. They will probably be frightened of rain the first time they see it, but they should soon adjust. Hopefully you live where it does occasionally rain.

I'd be more concerned about the heat. As long as that box does not get too hot and they have some shade, they should be OK, but make sure they don't run out of water. At that age heat is more of a danger than cold.

Coyotes, foxes, and many other animals do most of their hunting during the night, but it is not that unusual for me to see them hunting during the day. Seeing a fox or coyote during the day does not mean they have rabies, that they are sick, or anything like that. It is always wise to be cautious around a wild animal, but seeing one during the day just means they are out during the day. Maybe they had a bad night hunting? Maybe they have hungry babies to feed? Maybe they were recently weaned and are looking for a territory to call their own?

Your chicks are at more risk from coyotes and foxes at night because they are more active at night, but my biggest problems have been with dogs and they are active during the day. A predator can strike at any time. I don't know if those chicks are too big for the neighbor's cat to be a risk or not. I probably would not trust it yet.

You will probably be OK in that cage, but no cage or place is 100% secure. There is always something that can happen. That looks like it is made of 2" x 4" welded wire, which is pretty good. Some things, like a raccoon, could reach a paw in through the wire to grab a chick. To make that more secure I'd consider putting some smaller meshed wire around the sides to stop that. It will also stop the chicks from sticking their heads out to peck at the grass, which puts them at risk to some predators. They will normally be scared of any unfamiliar animal for a little while, but they can pretty soon become complacent.

I'd consider anchoring that cage so something could not knock it over. A dog is less likely to crush that if it is anchored. I'm guessing that it is 2' high (that is the only thing that makes sense) so you have a 2' x 4' area on the ground. That is fairly stable but it can still be knocked over by a big dog. But anchoring it may mean you can't move it to new grass, which kind of defeats the purpose of having them in a cage.

That 2' x 4' area should be plenty big enough for 6 chicks for several more weeks, especially if you can move it around to fresh grass regularly. But I'd really think about building them a permanent coop soon. They should be able to spend the nights outside without heat now and they will grow really fast. They will surprise you with how fast they grow.

I don't know your full circumstances, but I'd think they are fairly secure in that in spite of everything I've said. Remember, just because something can happen does not mean it absolutely every time will. But in my opinion, the best way to increase their security is to build them a permanent predator-proof coop.

Good luck!!!

 

[LazerClaire]

Thanks for all of you input! The big coop is in progress. As far as securing it to the ground,I can use tent stakes which are easily pried up so I can move the cage.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Alot better for them to be outside than in

 

[chickmashnoon]

I have mine out and running around free at about 4 weeks, but they are with older chickens who know how to avoid danger and what to be scared of- it's always nice to have someone be a lookout and there are two of my older hens that play the part. My chicks have even figured out how to climb up on a stump to get to the chicken nipple waterer- after watching the bantams get water that way they are now pretty self sufficient.

Sunshine is good for them!

However- they haven't figured out to sleep in the coop- but that is probably due to MaryKate pecking them in the head whenever she sees them . . .
darn bossy hen . . .

 

[OurLittlebitRanch]

With the warm weather I would say it is fine to have them out now, when they are first hatched it is suggested to keep them at around 90 degrees.
Mine all start out in kennels like you have pictures. In something like that they should be pretty safe from predators. If you can secure it to the ground you would be a little better off. But keep in mind, although predators are normally nocturnal that does not mean they will not "hunt" during the day. Last year we had problems with a bobcat, who we saw several times in the front yard, during the day, and then a bear. Unfortunately you won't be able to do much to protect your little critters against the big ones like that just be aware that there are also dangers during the day.
Make sure they have shade and LOTS of water. Without water, in the high temps, they can die in just a few hours.
They are still young enough that a drastic change in temperature might shock them so just be sure to bring them in at night or if it rains!!