Cheer or Cry??

[Doll Maker]

I don't know whether to cheer or cry

My sweet little fuzzy wuzzums have outgrown their brooders inside and have moved to the big brooder in the coop. Hubby put bedding into the end that's all closed in and hooked up the big light. Then we moved 25 babies one at a time to their new home. They are a little leary yet of walking on the wire in the "run" side and hubby did put a small waterer in the side with the bedding until they get out and explore all of their new home. They are jumping, flying and generally being crazy chicks, but I think they will be fine. Just don't know what I'm going to do without being able to sit and watch chick tv every night.

They are almost fully feathered out and turned 4 weeks old today. NOW they have more room to grow. As soon as the weather gets warmer and all of the feathers are in, they will be on their side of the coop and have a run so they can go outside in the sunshine.

I miss them being close by already, seems like just yesterday they were just little bits of fluff!

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, I'm going to be in the same boat pretty soon. I know it will be good for them. I do have to complete the new coop first, in which to house the Grown Up Flock. Then I can utilize the current coop with an attached pen for the youngsters. As it's in the middle of the run, the babies will be surrounded by the adult chickens. I'm hoping the Big Girls and the roo won't be too distressed at giving up their original sleeping quarters.....

But I LIKE having chicks and ducklings in the bathroom! Yes, I am certifiably crazy. But they're so safe there, and I see them and watch them at night at various times.... sometimes just to see them, sometimes because I have personal business to do in there.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I bet you won't miss the chick dust though. YUCK! That's my least favorite part.

 

[chkinut]

you guys can always have a house chicken! i plan on having 5 girls outside and 2 bantams inside....of course the bantams will go out every day for awhile to sunbathe and take dirt baths.....but i like having them on my lap when i watch tv!

 

[Doll Maker]

I wasn't so much bothered by it, we had ours in three 105 quart rubbermaid tubs. They had lids, with wire at the back, and they were in my workshop keeping the dollies company. My main worry was they were getting very dusty and I wasn't sure it was good for them either. Having them down there was nice, I could work and hear them talking to each other, it was rather peaceful. That I will miss. Of course the dust was becoming an issue, but working with porcelain there is a bit of that to deal with day in and day out anyway.

Hubby just went to check on them and reports that about half of them are out on the wire, a few are on the 2 x 4 roost that divides the bedding area from the run portion of the brooder. Only a couple were under the light the rest were running, jumping and having a really good time.

I think they will be safe and ok, the hutch and pen are critter proofed as well as possible. Funny thing, the big girls aren't really paying any attention to them thus far. Of course they are up above their eye level.

It sure is going to be quiet in my workshop.

 

[Doll Maker]

Quote:
I doubt they would be safe in our house, LOL. With two Corgis at large all the time. And then there is hubby, doubt he'd be too keen on that idea

They seem to be having a great time in their new "grow-out" housing. In a two or three more weeks, the weather should be nice enough that they can get outside into their part of the run.

 

[Doll Maker]

Quote:
Oh great idea!! Hmmmmmmmm, perhaps I will start talking about a new coop for the big chickens so we can have MORE babies!!
I don't think you're crazy, I rather enjoyed having them "chatting" with me as I worked in the workshop. I will miss them

 

[chkinut]

Quote:
I doubt they would be safe in our house, LOL. With two Corgis at large all the time. And then there is hubby, doubt he'd be too keen on that idea

They seem to be having a great time in their new "grow-out" housing. In a two or three more weeks, the weather should be nice enough that they can get outside into their part of the run.

yeah, u gotta point there.....i've got a lot of dogs (4) so i'm just gonna have to play it by ear and see. if worse comes to worse, they go outside with the flock. but i gotta try!

 

[alabamachick]

Our coop should be delivered within the next few days....

Hubby is ready to have them outside... Me, Not so much.

At least I still have at least a week before the older chicks are ready to go outside. My two EE will be in about a week longer than the others.

I'm so used to having them with us in the house. Its almost like "empty nest" (pun intended) syndrome, makes me think I need more chicks! Sh, dont tell DH!

 

[Doll Maker]

I just took the camera out to see what the kids were up to. Here they are enjoying their new found freedom

The one on the far left with his head out of camera range is, I am sure a roo.
They seem to be happy as clams, so guess it'll be alright. I'll worry about them all night tho.