Do chicks know how to get out of the rain?

[lazy gardener]

Could your wife help to wrangle them? As for chicks of that age being moved out of the brooder: my chicks are brooded outside with MHP, and wean themselves off heat at 4 - 5 weeks of age with night time temps going down to 30's. Cold is not the issue. If you are able to use the tarp to keep the driving rain off them, that will help. You may need to make some adaptations b/c chickens should have 4 s.f. of open space in the coop and 10 s.f. of space in the run per bird.

You'll do fine, there is a learning curve, for sure.

 

[rod5591]

So sorry for your frustration. I am always ranting about small coops, trying to save folks the frustration of dealing with them BEFORE they spend the money on them. Now that the money is spent, if you post a pic, perhaps we can collectively help you figure out to take what you have bought and make it functional. Do you have any wood working tools, or any one who does who can help you to modify your coop?

Here is a pic and the specifications for the coop. As has been already pointed out to me, the coop is too small for full sized birds. I did not know this at the time. Since then, I've bought a table saw, lumbar and screws, which was just delivered. I also have 100 yards of 1/4" hardware cloth. I have a drill, wood screws, plywood, and more, but I have been unable to find coop plans that are specific enough to guide an amateur like me. but it looks like I may have to make a choice soon.

Some of the pressure will be off next week. We will be having our yard fenced in sections with 5 ft chain link fence. Once the yard is sectioned off, the chicks can leave the run and free range in the yard, if they are bold enough at their young age. So far 2 of our 3 dogs have shown they can't be trusted, and we have hopes the last, a Great Pyranees pup, will become a guardian for the chicken--We'll see how that goes,

 

[rod5591]

Could your wife help to wrangle them? As for chicks of that age being moved out of the brooder: my chicks are brooded outside with MHP, and wean themselves off heat at 4 - 5 weeks of age with night time temps going down to 30's. Cold is not the issue. If you are able to use the tarp to keep the driving rain off them, that will help. You may need to make some adaptations b/c chickens should have 4 s.f. of open space in the coop and 10 s.f. of space in the run per bird.

You'll do fine, there is a learning curve, for sure.

Sorry to say my wife is an invalid much of the time, but she is willing to help out if she is feeling up to it. But usually I am on my own, About the space, I am hoping to leave the run open if we can sufficiently discourage predators. The coop will need to be 10 x 10 at least if I was to keep them all together but I am thinking of segregating the Delawares since there may be a rooster or two in the 6 I have.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

Mine are definitely not smart enough to get out of the rain. Oh they will go into their run at dusk and go in their dry coop at night all by themselves, but let it start raining in the middle of the day and they will just sit in it. I have to put them up every time. I think the may be slow....

 

[lazy gardener]

Rod, check out this book:

It has lots of plans and building details that could be modified to help you with your coop design. You might find it to be advisable to cut your flock size.

 

[rod5591]

They survived the night and the coolish temperatures. I added a heat lamp on an extension cord to help them dry out. Today looks sunny and warm. Thanks everyone!

 

[Bonniebooboo]

The thing is I can not. The way this coop is designed, I can not get the chicks. They would run to the corner where I can not reach. If I was younger I could half crawl in and take them out one at a time. But I am no longer young and I can not do what I once could. I think all I can do is buy a big tarp to cover the coop/run and build a bigger coop where I can access the birds more easily.

I use a special “reaching tool” to pick up things on the ground but I don’t think I can use it to pick up a chicken!

I use a net to catch some of my birds that are out of reach. re-purposed a fish net. Best to you.

 

[cmom]

Thank you, I realize you were trying to help! I feel a little frustrated by jumping in with both feet before I knew what I was doing. I bought this chicken coup from a farmers coop store and I feel very dissapointed they would sell me something that looked so good but functions not quite so well.

Not to worry. Everyone is different and their situation. You will find out what works best for you. What works good for one person may not be good for another. I got my first flock around 50 years ago and had no clue. Through the years I have lived and learned and now have the setup that works for me.

 

[Mrs. K]

Those darn coops look so cute, and are so worthless. A large rubbermaid tote, tipped on its side, with a little bedding will fit in the set up, and give an outside area that is protected from the wind or rain and can be easily turned so as to give protection.

This is such a fun hobby, good luck. We have all had our failures and successes.

Mrs K

 

[PirateGirl]

Sounds like you've gotten some great tips to catch and/or protect your chicks from the elements!

I'm glad they survived the night and have a nice day to enjoy today!

Don't worry, they get hardier and it gets easier. They are only fragile for a little while longer. Mine no longer have heat, they go out when it's below zero F, they know how to hide from wind and rain and hail and snow, they alert each other to scary things like hawks and neighbor dogs. They are far less scared of me than they used to be and if I have to catch one it's relatively easy. They also put themselves to bed! Give it a few months, your lil chicks will fall in line!