Chicks first night out! Im watching close

907chicken

In the Brooder
9 Years
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
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Location
Eagle River, Alaska
My chicks are 4 weeks old or so. Maybe older. When I look at my chicks compared to what other 4 week old chicks look like mine seem alot more developed. They are pretty big and well feathered. They have destroyed the downstairs bathroom where I have been keeping them , I dont have a garage. Fearing an imminant divorce I make the decision to toss them out on the back deck. So tonight I retrofitted a Dog house I have been working on to be a temporary coop. I put wire all around the frame. Then installed 2" foam isulation around 2/3 rds of it. I also put a piece of foam on the floor for them to roost on. And another piece covering 1/2 the top. then I hung their heat lamp so it is about 16 inches above the roost. Then put a thick layer of pine shavings down. Its right at 38 degrees and should only drop down to 35. They have been out there for an hour so far and are just having a good time. Ill keep an eye on them through out the night. My big worry is they are going to eat too much of that insulation. Its supposedly non toxic. But i know if I take it out of there they will get to cold.
 
okay going on 2.5 hours. I had to move insulation to outside of pen. The chicks wouldnt leave it alone. then because its not getting as good of insulation I lowered the heat lamp some. I cant tell whats going on with them. They are just eating and drinking. Stopping once in awhile to preen. Chirping and making all sorts of racket. Its 1:15 a.m. Go to sleep or Look comfortable or cold already! I want to go to bed.
 
Well they settled down to go to sleep. I watched them for a few minutes. they were lined up in a row close the lamp but not directly underneath. My biggest and most feathered chick was acting cold though. trying to get under the other chicks and I could see his tail shivering. So, I took them all inside. Today it is suposed to get mid 40's to 50. They are going to spend the day in that brooder setup. As a side note, that insulation was like crack to them. They completely ignored all food and commenced to spading up the floor looking for any tiny bit of insulation.
 
Seems like chickens are self-regulating with most foods, but not styrofoam!
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Glad to hear they did well....and I have heard that styrofoam is considered a delicacy amongst chickens.
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Omgoodness ... Alaska. Get those chickies some parkas!! Lol.

My puny ole SC chicks had a huge cuddle ball going in 65 degree temps.
 

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