First night in the coop for my chicks.....

[ArcticFox]

I have become very attached to my girls too

Their coop is actually better than the house in my opinion though. they have more room and they are staying nice and warm. It's fun to go out and watch them running and trying to fly

 

[redhead83402]

ours were just 5 wks on Friday, and they are also out in the coop ~ Of course, I am in Idaho, where the temps fluctuate from 73F one day to snowing the next ~ but, out to the coop they went anyway, too crowded in the brooder.

Also, On every single warm day above 50F, I put the chicks out in the sun for a few hours, in another little "playyard", so to speak. I believe this has helped them to feather out early and well ~ my chicks look like a lot of the pictures on this site that say their chicks are 7 to 10 wks old.

I was inspired by Ruth, with her journey through a Different Way thread, and liked the idea of being a little more natural about the whole thing. I think a mama hen would parade her chicks around in the sunshine, early spring, even if the temps aren't precisely what all the books say they ought to be. I did tend to be right there with them the entire time, however, and the moment any started their loud "I'm cold" cheep, I hustled them back inside.

Still, I think they have done rather well with it, and they surely do LOVE being out there now ~ bonus, they have FINALLY figured out to go back up into the coop if they are getting cold ~ ALL on their OWN ~ YEAHHH!! It did take a few days of constant monitoring, to make sure they were put up into the coop once it started getting too windy & cold for them, but they are old pros at it now ~ {:>)=
~Red

 

[Jolyn]

Dh and i went out late last night to check on them. They were fine. A moth flew into their brooder and oh my goodness you should have seen the excitement. They are going to love it when they are roaming all over the place....I can tell already.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I appreciate them.

 

[thechickenchick]

Boy do I know how you felt! I didn't sleep for the first three nights they were in the coop. Hubby even put a remote temp sensor in the coop so I could tell the temp without having to get out of bed(waking him up!) As soon as they matured a little more and I could relax, I started over with another batch of chicks! However having the big girls I at least know what to expect! I still worry though!