babies first field trip outside=DISASTER

[azygous]

Exposing chicks that still have mostly down and no feathers to the direct sun causes them to absorb too much radiant heat. Just as they have no insulation against cold, that also goes for heat. Until they get a good amount of feather coverage, they need protection from direct heat as well as cold.

Clue: if you stick a thermometer out in the direct sun, what happens? It zooms way high even though the air temp may be much lower! That's what happens to a baby chick with no feathers!

It's also why you need to place the heat lamp at the far end of your brooder, so the chicks can move away from it if they absorb too much heat. But they can't get away from the huge heat lamp in the sky unless they have some shade handy!

 

[elmo]

It may also have been lack of cover. Even my adult chickens like to range under things in the back yard and instinctively seek out shady places, bushes, etc. A chicken out in the open is vulnerable to being spotted by a predator.

 

[azygous]

Precisely, Elmo! I carry my chicks outside in a pet carrier and leave it for them to use for cover as well as security.

 

[the_great_snag]

Quote:
Doves are delicious!

Were they too warm or too cold? I guess I never take my peeps outside until they are feathered, but it sounds like fun if the weather is warm enough!

 

[midd2005]

i'd go with definitely too warm.

 

[saylernsaxonsmom]

My babies were not the brightest (ha ha) when it came to getting out of the heat. They loved being in the shade, but were a bit slow on the draw when their shade moved. We had to remember to move them to different shady spots for the first few days until they were old enough to figure it out on their own. We also had to remind them where their water and food would be. If not, they would be dying of thirst with their water just a few yards away.

Breed seemed to play at part, as well. My Barred Rock girls were little rock stars...very independent. My Brahmas, not so much. They were very timid and needed my help for most of the first day. (They'd just follow me around the yard or hide in my shadow.)

Granted, I didn't send them out until they were a few weeks old. Sorry to hear that your little ones were not thrilled with their outing. I'm sure it will get better as they get older!

Good luck!

 

[midd2005]

that's what i have too. brahmas and barred rocks. and the personality is the same here too. the barred rocks are very adventurous. a second after i stick my hand in the brooder, it's filled with an intrepid little barred rock. the brahmas will come up to me but there is no leaping. in their defense they don't yet have the wing span and thus extra balance that seems to help the barred rocks whip around everywhere.

when i took them outside, it was the brahmas i thought would have a heart attack from fear. they were clawing their way under me in order to get away. i already lost one of my 4 fat little fluffy butts to failure to thrive so i don't think i could handle burying another little brahma.

this evening or tomorrow evening we are going to try again. two of us will be on hand so at least the screen door will get shut on the way out. ill make sure there is shelter and shade and remind them of how their nipple waterers work.

thanks for all the tips everybody!

 

[midd2005]

so, good news. it's confirmed. i was doing it wrong.

took them outside again this late afternoon. the sun had dropped behind the fence and it was still warm but no sun shining on them. they were happy as can be. LOTS of flying practice! lucky me.

 

[saylernsaxonsmom]

Super!

Glad they came around!


(Now to get the Brahmas to play nice in the yard! Mine are the loners of the group. They're the sweet little things, but they seem to be more delicate than the rest.)

 

[Tigerjane]

Quote:
I have an awesome video of their first attempts at flying. They were flying when outside a week or earlier than they tried in their brooder. Helped me know it was time to put the top on it before I woke up one day to chickens in the kitchen!