My chicks are just about 4 weeks old, now...and it was 80F this aftenoon so I let the babies out of their brooder and into their little run. They are as predator safe as I can make them.
They are surrounded by a 6' dog run that I have reinforced with 1" hardware cloth both top and bottom, and I have it running up the sides 2' high (to keep inquiring cat paws OUT!
The problem is - the chicks seem to have no fear of the cats who'd like to eat them!!! They are safe in the run...but if they get too close to the sides, it is conceivable that a cat could squeeze a claw through (I wish I'd done 1/2" cloth!).
My group of 26 hens (all were raised in this same coop/setup) all seemed wary of the cats from the begining when the arrived as day-old-chicks...they are now full grown and routinely beat up the cats
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When will these chicks smarten up???? I can't trust them outside until they do!
They are surrounded by a 6' dog run that I have reinforced with 1" hardware cloth both top and bottom, and I have it running up the sides 2' high (to keep inquiring cat paws OUT!
The problem is - the chicks seem to have no fear of the cats who'd like to eat them!!! They are safe in the run...but if they get too close to the sides, it is conceivable that a cat could squeeze a claw through (I wish I'd done 1/2" cloth!).
My group of 26 hens (all were raised in this same coop/setup) all seemed wary of the cats from the begining when the arrived as day-old-chicks...they are now full grown and routinely beat up the cats
When will these chicks smarten up???? I can't trust them outside until they do!
