First Night Out for Baby Chicks.

[MurrayCove]

HI folks. I am leaving my 3 wk old chicks..10 of them out for the first time tonight. I have been leaving them out in their run for the day time for the past week. They do so love it out there where the can run about. It rained here today for about 20 mins....and it came on so quickly that I could not get them out of the run and into the house without getting them more wet than if I left them, but did go out and check with my umbrella..ha..and they were in their house all huddled together and dry...just waiting it out. I know they are a little young to be out there on their own, but I live in south Georgia. It is in the 90s during the day here and goes down to mid 70s at night. The house and run are fenced and the whole thing is inside of a fenced area. I think about the only thing that could get to them would be a sneaky snake, but other than that, I believe they are secure. They are well feathered even at this young age. New Hampshire reds...hens all. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mmajw]

As long as you coop is strong and predator proof they should be fine. I would try and make sure that the snakes cant get in either. They can kill chicks and as your chickens grow the snakes may come in for them and the eggs.

 

[MurrayCove]

Thanks. I solved my problem by taking out their brooder box and putting it in the chicken house, putting the chicks into it, c overing it with the screen and securing the whole thing with a bungee cord. Now the only preditors that could get to them would have to posess opposable thumbs.

 

[mmajw]

Great you will all sleep better now.

 

[smom1976]

I kinda did the same thing mine were about 3 1/2 weeks old when I put them in their pen I put their rubbermaid tub in there with them.. it was funny tonght I went out there and they are getting so big they were all pushing to get in the tub for sleeping.

 

[MurrayCove]

Morning after follow up. All the babies survived the night and when I went out this morning, they were all peeping wildly when they saw me....all demanding to be set free...at least thats how I heard it...hahaha! Then all running and flying and jumping wildly. I admit to going out several times in the night with my flashlight to check on them.

I am worse than a first time mother.

 

[karenleigh]

Did you put light on them at night out there to keep them warm? I'm waiting on babies and trying to learn all I can before they get here.