"F" For Fabulous Farm Flock

[DatCampG]

It has been so hot, humid (96° feels like 107°) in the last week here in North East Texas. I have been keeping all birds with fresh buckets and the swimming pool of water EVERY MORNING. I fixed a shaded area for them with bunjees and a couple of tarps. I water down near and under the tarp around 1:30-2 o'clock in the afternoon. They like it.

I have alway$ bought chick$ at my local farm $tore, but no more.
I hatched in the incubator fifteen chicks July (13-14)-21 on a Tuesday. They are fifteen plus days old now.
Purchased my guienas keets May, 20, 2021 on a Thursday, raised them in the house in a swimming pool encased with chicken wire for about four days until pee-yew (not like chickens) stinky! Out they went into their forever home.
Started new batch in the incubator July 21, 2021. I have fifteen days left incubating as of today, Saturday July 31, 2021

All of my birds get along, I do not have any bullies, they are always kept with plenty of feed wheat, corn, bread, etc and sometimes nighty mealworm treats before roosting, (yesterday I let them free range). My concern is my guienas.

I know NEVER Ever Put --Baby Chicks-- in with an Adult Flock
And it's very important to note that baby chicks should NEVER be added to a flock of adult hens, or even older pullets. You need to wait to add new chickens to the flock until they are at least 8 weeks old and preferably closer to 12-14 weeks old. These little lizards of mine (chickens) are growing fast! BUT...is is so-o-o hot and I have a metal barn which where all are housed.

I just feel in my heart it will be okay to set them free to roam with the other chickens and guineas. I want to do it on a cooler day when rain is coming in or overcast within the next fifteen days. I really feel like it would be okay.
I mean...the worst that could happen is they get packed to death (lesson learned) and I would have to start all over another batch in the incubator.
I give my eggs away free to my elders in my community (always have) and share with my family.
I have other farm chores to do along with household chores so it is [very hard for me to create an area in the barn]. I really want to do that. I might just have to set the alarm for 5a and start creating "something" at 6:30a, hoping to complete in ninety minutes before the heat hits. It's just really hard solo.
Your opinion here at Backyard Chickens matters a great deal to me.
Do you think I should let them out of their cages or wait until my new batch hatches and set them free then with the flock?

If you could give me your opinion on what I should do I would be happy as an itchy pig rubbing against a rail fence! Thanks a heap.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have for years got my chicks into the coop/run of an established flock between 3-4 weeks of age. It does require some fiddling to do so, but so much healthier with more space and outside time. I think people trying to be kind and good and keep their chicks safe, actually do them harm, by preventing fresh air and exercise.

How to do it.

• Mine sleep in a dog crate under a wooly hen without additional heat
• I have to put them there for a few nights, but they get it eventually
• In the run, I set up a pen with the dog crate, so that the chickens can see them but not get too them - a couple days
• Then I let the big girls out to free range. While they are out of the coop/run, I adjust the chicks fencing so that it is a couple of inches off the floor.
• I sit and wait, eventually one or two of the chicks will venture forth out into the run.
• After a while I give a mock chase, in which they scramble back to the safe zone.
• Late afternoon, I let the hens back in
• At night, I pick up the crate, place it in the coop. After I see the chicks in amongst the hens, I do not close the door. So in the morning, the chicks go out to the run by themselves
• Then, I just leave the crate in the coop - they will return there by themselves

In a week, they are doing fine.

Mrs K

 

[TundraFang]

My advice is, you know your Flock better than anyone else. If you don't have any bullies and have plenty if room for the chicks to get away it should be fine. I usually lat my chicks free range with the big Flock during the day and keep them separate at night. I've never had issues with it. If you think they're ready then they probably are.

 

[DatCampG]

I have for years got my chicks into the coop/run of an established flock between 3-4 weeks of age. It does require some fiddling to do so, but so much healthier with more space and outside time. I think people trying to be kind and good and keep their chicks safe, actually do them harm, by preventing fresh air and exercise.

How to do it.

• Mine sleep in a dog crate under a wooly hen without additional heat
• I have to put them there for a few nights, but they get it eventually
• In the run, I set up a pen with the dog crate, so that the chickens can see them but not get too them - a couple days
• Then I let the big girls out to free range. While they are out of the coop/run, I adjust the chicks fencing so that it is a couple of inches off the floor.
• I sit and wait, eventually one or two of the chicks will venture forth out into the run.
• After a while I give a mock chase, in which they scramble back to the safe zone.
• Late afternoon, I let the hens back in
• At night, I pick up the crate, place it in the coop. After I see the chicks in amongst the hens, I do not close the door. So in the morning, the chicks go out to the run by themselves
• Then, I just leave the crate in the coop - they will return there by themselves

In a week, they are doing fine.

Mrs K

I have for years got my chicks into the coop/run of an established flock between 3-4 weeks of age. It does require some fiddling to do so, but so much healthier with more space and outside time. I think people trying to be kind and good and keep their chicks safe, actually do them harm, by preventing fresh air and exercise.

How to do it.

• Mine sleep in a dog crate under a wooly hen without additional heat
• I have to put them there for a few nights, but they get it eventually
• In the run, I set up a pen with the dog crate, so that the chickens can see them but not get too them - a couple days
• Then I let the big girls out to free range. While they are out of the coop/run, I adjust the chicks fencing so that it is a couple of inches off the floor.
• I sit and wait, eventually one or two of the chicks will venture forth out into the run.
• After a while I give a mock chase, in which they scramble back to the safe zone.
• Late afternoon, I let the hens back in
• At night, I pick up the crate, place it in the coop. After I see the chicks in amongst the hens, I do not close the door. So in the morning, the chicks go out to the run by themselves
• Then, I just leave the crate in the coop - they will return there by themselves

In a week, they are doing fine.

Mrs K

I have for years got my chicks into the coop/run of an established flock between 3-4 weeks of age. It does require some fiddling to do so, but so much healthier with more space and outside time. I think people trying to be kind and good and keep their chicks safe, actually do them harm, by preventing fresh air and exercise.

How to do it.

• Mine sleep in a dog crate under a wooly hen without additional heat
• I have to put them there for a few nights, but they get it eventually
• In the run, I set up a pen with the dog crate, so that the chickens can see them but not get too them - a couple days
• Then I let the big girls out to free range. While they are out of the coop/run, I adjust the chicks fencing so that it is a couple of inches off the floor.
• I sit and wait, eventually one or two of the chicks will venture forth out into the run.
• After a while I give a mock chase, in which they scramble back to the safe zone.
• Late afternoon, I let the hens back in
• At night, I pick up the crate, place it in the coop. After I see the chicks in amongst the hens, I do not close the door. So in the morning, the chicks go out to the run by themselves
• Then, I just leave the crate in the coop - they will return there by themselves

In a week, they are doing fine.

Mrs K

I really like your "how to do it" by you using the crate. I (did not think about that). I could open my cages just enough where the older birds can not get in and get in their chick starter feed. I definitely don't need my bigger birds gobbling up the baby chick feed.
I can already imagine me mock chasing. (laughing) I like this idea a lot. I will try it in the early 6:30-7a morning time...I really want to go outside and try it now! it is 10:35a. I want them to get fresh air and exercise. Last night (Fri) 7-30-21 was the first time I left the heat lamp off, it was 86° at nine o'clock.

Mrs. K your idea and time writing is greatly appreciated and would save me time from building an extra area right now. Thank a heap.

 

[DatCampG]

I really like your "how to do it" by you using the crate. I (did not think about that). I could open my cages just enough where the older birds can not get in and get in their chick starter feed. I definitely don't need my bigger birds gobbling up the baby chick feed.
I can already imagine me mock chasing. (laughing) I like this idea a lot. I will try it in the early 6:30-7a morning time...I really want to go outside and try it now! it is 10:35a. I want them to get fresh air and exercise. Last night (Fri) 7-30-21 was the first time I left the heat lamp off, it was 86° at nine o'clock.

Mrs. K your idea and time writing is greatly appreciated and would save me time from building an extra area right now. Thank a heap.

I really like your "how to do it" by you using the crate. I (did not think about that). I could open my cages just enough where the older birds can not get in and get in their chick starter feed. I definitely don't need my bigger birds gobbling up the baby chick feed.
I can already imagine me mock chasing. (laughing) I like this idea a lot. I will try it in the early 6:30-7a morning time...I really want to go outside and try it now! it is 10:35a. I want them to get fresh air and exercise. Last night (Fri) 7-30-21 was the first time I left the heat lamp off, it was 86° at nine o'clock.

Mrs. K your idea and time writing is greatly appreciated and would save me time from building an extra area right now. Thank a heap.

I really like your "how to do it" by you using the crate. I (did not think about that). I could open my cages just enough where the older birds can not get in and get in their chick starter feed. I definitely don't need my bigger birds gobbling up the baby chick feed.
I can already imagine me mock chasing. (laughing) I like this idea a lot. I will try it in the early 6:30-7a morning time...I really want to go outside and try it now! it is 10:35a. I want them to get fresh air and exercise. Last night (Fri) 7-30-21 was the first time I left the heat lamp off, it was 86° at nine o'clock.

Mrs. K your idea and time writing is greatly appreciated and would save me time from building an extra area right now. Thank a heap.

Dear Mrs. K,
It's high noon, 94° feels like 108 our hottest this year here in North East Texas.
I excitedly went out and did it, the mock chasing too. Dripping with sweat in less than ten minutes. I opened the cages about two inches, blocked it with a half of brick inside the door and with a bigger brick on the outside and put some "safety wire" around their cages so the bigger birds can not get in and eat their food. I will put them in their cages tonight, rinse and repeat the rest of the week.

I believe everything will be fine as frogs hair. Thanks a heap ♡

 

[DatCampG]

My advice is, you know your Flock better than anyone else. If you don't have any bullies and have plenty if room for the chicks to get away it should be fine. I usually lat my chicks free range with the big Flock during the day and keep them separate at night. I've never had issues with it. If you think they're ready then they probably are.

Thank you for your written words. ♡

 

[Mrs. K]

Hope it works for you - report back on how long it took.

After looking at your coop/ run - I would suggest a pallet set up on cement blocks, in the middle of your run. It will give some shade and chicks can run under it, where as the big girls won't. An escape place away from the ones you have set up. I often feed my chicks there.

Also - I either feed everyone chick feed, or flock raiser if I can get it, and oyster shell on the side, when I have chicks.

Mrs K

 

[DatCampG]

Hope it works for you - report back on how long it took.

After looking at your coop/ run - I would suggest a pallet set up on cement blocks, in the middle of your run. It will give some shade and chicks can run under it, where as the big girls won't. An escape place away from the ones you have set up. I often feed my chicks there.

Also - I either feed everyone chick feed, or flock raiser if I can get it, and oyster shell on the side, when I have chicks.

Mrs K

Well, If that don't take the roof off the barn! Another great idea you have given me about a pallet and haydite blocks --- I will use five, one on each corner and one in the middle because the older ones will use it as a bounce house I'm certain. I will go to the hay barn Monday and pull everything out and set it up immediately.

Since I let them out of their cages 7/31/21 Saturday, they experienced their first loud, windy thunderstorm, happily bouncing around, flapping their wings and challenging each other. They did venture out into the closed run and outside run Sunday for the first time and the older chickens guided them back as if they were protecting. I did put out baby chick feed Saturday for the older birds "as a treat" since I have baby chicks loose. I have never purchased oyster shell but always wanted to just try it. I know there is none to purchase at my local farm store co-op. I will look for it since you mentioned the next time I go into town.

The guienas don't mind the baby chicks either, so fun to watch on the game camera. I have not seen any pecking towards the baby chicks. They are holding their own very well at nineteen days old. Yay! All birds are getting along. I'm so glad Mother Nature has turned down the Texas heat into the lower eighties for the next three days which is perfect for placing of the pallet you have suggested.

This is my first full year hatching my own chicks, (fourth batch) and still learning. I have owned chickens for thirteen years. No one has ever guided me. I have learned all of what I know on my own by trial and error and reading "real books" and kept past issues of my Backyard Poultry magazines from 2008 for reference. I recently found this website Backyard Chickens. Your wrirtten words of suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks a heap!

 

[DatCampG]

Safe Shade Area Completed.

 

[DatCampG]

The chicks are doing fine with the older birds. It took one week! The heat sure has made them grow fast.