chicken shouldn't be in the house???

[Toi-toi]

I have 6 - 6weeks old chicks.
They are in the brooder and brooder is in my great room.
(if nice out, they stay outside in the play pan and come back in the brooder for night time)

Today my friend told me it's bad idea to keep chickens in the house.
They tracks lice problem.
She said she heard from her farmer friend.

Is it true???

 

[Vedwards]

Are they feathered out? They should be old enough to stay outside in the coop.

 

[dieselgrl48]

I never had any problem's brooding chicks in the house other than the basic dust.And out of 6 year's of raising bird's I only had lice in a pen once and don't even know how they got there.Your chicks should be just fine don't worry about the lice and stuff.

 

[Toi-toi]

Almost all feathered. They still have little fuzzy head.

Oh about full feathered....
Are they grow feathers under the wings, too???

 

[TipsyDog]

No. Your chickens shouldn't have lice. They are very messy and dusty to have in the house. I agree that they can stay outside in a secure coop at 6 weeks. I know it's been very warm here, so you probably have good temps too. If not, you can always put a heat lamp in the coop at night for them.

 

[Toi-toi]

Quote:
Oh that's good. Thanks!!
Chicks get lice before hatch (from mom hen)... Kinda stuff she was saying and unbelievable face to me so I was worry...

 

[bturbo87]

sure they can get lice, so can your kids... how often have your kids had lice...... exactly, so long as you keep everything clean theres no issues

 

[MissJenny]

Um, they don't spontaneously generate lice. It is possible they can acquire lice from wild birds... but if their outdoor pen is fully enclosed then it is not likely.

Do you have a permanent outdoor run and coop -- or are they still being built? The most important issue is that your birds be safe -- if the outdoor coop isn't yet built then they should definitely be inside at night. If their coop is built and you feel it is predator proof then by all means, they can be outside. (You don't live in Siberia, do you?)

Jenny

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Oh that's good. Thanks!!
Chicks get lice before hatch (from mom hen)... Kinda stuff she was saying and unbelievable face to me so I was worry...

Oh dear. Really? How do the lice get through the shell? Classic case of "Believe none of what you hear and half of what you read."

Wouldn't hurt to go ahead and move them, they'll love it after the initial fears.

 

[Toi-toi]

I'm in MA and we are having up and down weather.
It was nice today. Around 85F then tomorrow we are going to have 90F.
But this weekend will be upper 70's. Then night time would be mid 50's.
Is that too cold for young chickens??

My coop and run are not secure enough to be permanent place yet...
I thought they are going out after 8weeks old, no???