Brave little chicks

[Foster's Freehold]

So, a week or ten days ago I put the chickies outside in the coop. Day before yesterday, I sat out with them a while as they skittered around the run. The 2 roos and the 5 hens only gave them an occasional peck, nothing really violent. Big Roo even let them nibble from the big chickens dish lol.

I rearranged the coop, butted two wire crates up together so they had more room on these wet days. There was a tiny gap between the two, knew a big chicken couldn't get in, didn't really think the bitties could get out.

This morning, everyone was in their place. Bigs wanting out into the rain, silly chickens. But, I opened the pop door and let them out. I go back to check on them a bit ago. What do I see? Who comes running up like I've got cotton candy? Well, no one but the little bitties. Out and about in the rain, skittering all up in the rest of the flock. I had taken them some warm mash, since it's so cold and wet, so they were happy to squeeze back into their crates.

Now, I'm gonna have to wire around the bottom of the coop with chick wire. I think they could squeeze out of the chain link. I know it was the little Boss Hen that led the runaway. That girl is gonna give me trouble lol.

Moral of the story is: Don't over worry about your bitties. They take more chances and adapt faster than you think.

 

[HuskerHens18]

My 3 week old chicks are braver than my 3 year old chickens yesterday one of my Super Blues flew out of the brooder and was running around the heated garage, I wasn't aware and one of my cats squeezed in the door with me. I was absolutely horrified as this chick comes charging up to this massive cat and puffs his/her chest out as a challenge! I think the cat was shocked too, he put his ears back and just stared. Thankfully I scooped up the chick before anything bad happened. But looking back, it's quite funny.

I bet your little bitties were enjoying the rain. Were there worms out? They were probably having a blast

 

[Foster's Freehold]

lol cats and chicks. My cat just stalks around the outside of the run. As he is a big fat black tom, it is quite funny. The dogs, oh lordy. Lexi the lab mix I think wants to mother them. Dutchie the pyranees mix just lays at the door, but that is his job, to stay with me.

Oh yeah, they were just running and skittering around. Everyone else crowded around, cause I usually bring greens in the mid afternoon. As I put the cabbage in the swinging rack, the bitties headed into the coop, knowing I put greens in their crates. Silly bitties, I just worry they are going to squeeze through the chain link before I can get it wired closed. Guess I'll have to wire the gap.

 

[Lordofchickens 86]

yup escape artists

 

[Foster's Freehold]

yup escape artists

I'm more astounded by their bravery. They've only been in the run loose one day and that was highly supervised. None seemed the worse for wear, and they followed me back into the coop and voluntarily went into the crates. Well, of course it helped that I had feed lol. Little pigs.

 

[HuskerHens18]

lol cats and chicks. My cat just stalks around the outside of the run. As he is a big fat black tom, it is quite funny. The dogs, oh lordy. Lexi the lab mix I think wants to mother them. Dutchie the pyranees mix just lays at the door, but that is his job, to stay with me.

Oh yeah, they were just running and skittering around. Everyone else crowded around, cause I usually bring greens in the mid afternoon. As I put the cabbage in the swinging rack, the bitties headed into the coop, knowing I put greens in their crates. Silly bitties, I just worry they are going to squeeze through the chain link before I can get it wired closed. Guess I'll have to wire the gap.

Oh yeah I know the feeling, my outside pen is chainlink and I'm too nervous to let any of my young chickens in there yet. We have too many predators that would love to snatch the little ones up. Sometimes I put up a piece of plywood along the bottom for a temporary block so they can't squeeze through the bottom. It still leaves the top open though :/

 

[Foster's Freehold]

While I love the chain link panels, that is one thing that always gets me. My bitties always seem to think it's time to go into the big run before I've put up something to block the bottom. I should just bite the bullet and permanently wire the bottom. Or that plastic stuff, might be easier to handle. The real object is to keep them in.

I don't worry so much about predators during the day, except hawks. My dogs keep most things away. Or at least I hope they do. I don't think the predators have noticed my new flock.