Could chicks sleep outside on the grass temporarily?

[Smokin Silkies]

I'm in the process of building another coop & I have ALOT of Silkie chicks that NEED to be moved outside. All I have right now is a chicken tractor. I'm going to put a large plastic bin in there...upside down with a hole cut in the side for them to get in....but would it be ok for them to actually sleep on the grass or should I lay something over thr grass? I've never had to do this so I'm unsure. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[stone_family3]

What's the outside temp going to be? How old are the chicks? If it were me I'd at least put down some hay to keep it from getting as cold.

 

[Pharm Girl]

I had my chicks outside for a couple of transitional weeks this spring. I kept the top on the plastic storage container, cut a door, and filled the bottom with pine shavings, but they should be fine on grass if the outside temperatures don't get too cold. I had a hole in the lid of mine with a 50wtt reptile bulb, but it was spring and still quite cold at night.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some bedding for insulation is probably a good idea, but my real concern would be moisture. If they are on the ground and it rains, they could be in trouble. A heavy dew could also cause problems, though that bin upside down might take care of that. I think what you are talking about is doable, but I'd want to give them a dry place, maybe something under that bin.

 

[allpeepedout]

Getting them to go into something like that might be challenging. But I would expect them to roost on top of a container or huddle in a corner. What about putting a cover like a tarp or sheets of plywood over a section of your tractor so they are protected from dew or precip and providing a roost or bedding? Is tractor super predator-proof?

 

[Smokin Silkies]

The temps at night are about 50*-60*. The chicks are between 7-9 weeks old. I have pine shavings, no hay...but could buy some if that would be better??

 

[Smokin Silkies]

I have hardware cloth over the whole thing except for where the wood is. I have one end that is covered on all ends & top (except for the bottom) with wood. I planned on covering that area with a tarp anyways during the night. I also plan on putting 4x4's around the outside edge, so nothing can dig....also thinking about cinder blocks too.

 

[Ridgerunner]

At that age I would not worry about them that much. I would probably put the pine shavings in there and make sure a rain will not flood them.

 

[Smokin Silkies]

Well they are outside. Im scared lol. I put a really thick piece of plywood down, then ALOT of shavings. I cut a hole in one of those thick plastic ponds and flipped it upside down and leaned a pc of 2x6 over the door to help keep the draft out. Hoping they all do good...I'll be checking on them shortly.

Wish my babies luck

 

[Ridgerunner]

Well, how did they do?