Hi everyone! I am new to raising chickens myself, but as a farm girl, have been around them some. My sister and I wanted our own eggs, so we have went into a partnership. My local feed mill had a deal of 25 chicks and a bag of chick starter and we went for it. Since I have the farm and the space, I've got the chicks.
They are currently in my mud/laundry room in a crate that is 30"w x48"l x 24"h. the entire top is a lid of hardware cloth. My girls will be 4 weeks old on this Thursday. They are 13 RIR and 12 Golden Buff Cross. We are working like crazy to finish a 7' x 12' pen in the old dairy barn. It is solid from the ground up to 42" and Hardware cloth from there to the ceiling. I am blocking as much as possible any spaces that a racoon, oppossum ,skunk, or rat might get through as we have them around here.
With that background, my question is how soon should I get them into larger quarters? Should they still have a heat light on them once I get them into their new quarters? Does it sound like I have enough indoor space in my pen? And does sound like I have it predator proof enough?
My father always said that if it is worth having, it should be worth taking care properly. I am trying to do my best here and need some reassurance from experienced keepers.
By the by, after we get the pen finished, we will be starting work on the outside run. Any advice? Plan is to lock them in at night and let out in morning.
They are currently in my mud/laundry room in a crate that is 30"w x48"l x 24"h. the entire top is a lid of hardware cloth. My girls will be 4 weeks old on this Thursday. They are 13 RIR and 12 Golden Buff Cross. We are working like crazy to finish a 7' x 12' pen in the old dairy barn. It is solid from the ground up to 42" and Hardware cloth from there to the ceiling. I am blocking as much as possible any spaces that a racoon, oppossum ,skunk, or rat might get through as we have them around here.
With that background, my question is how soon should I get them into larger quarters? Should they still have a heat light on them once I get them into their new quarters? Does it sound like I have enough indoor space in my pen? And does sound like I have it predator proof enough?
My father always said that if it is worth having, it should be worth taking care properly. I am trying to do my best here and need some reassurance from experienced keepers.
By the by, after we get the pen finished, we will be starting work on the outside run. Any advice? Plan is to lock them in at night and let out in morning.
