Flying the coop!

[jgrove]

i’ve got my ISA babies in a container just like the one they came from in the feed store. There are 6 of them and two of them (3 weeks old) keep jumping up on their food container and I’m worried that they will jump out from there! Should I put a screen on the top or switch to a ground level food container? My first time raising the babies!!!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

A cover is imperative once they reach this stage

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Won't be long and they will be out unless you cover the area. forever the investigator.

 

[jgrove]

Okay- will do! Thank you!!

 

[azygous]

Forget the cover. Forget the box. Your three-week olds are chickens now, and they are ready to run around outdoors and flex their little wings and engage in a little low-level flight.

As long as you aren't having a severe weather event, they can be away from heat all day at this age, and need only a little wattage at night. Begin by fixing up a play pen outside in your run or coop. Then take them out of the box and let them spend the day outside. The more room you give them, the happier they will be. After a week of this, you can move them into their coop.

You do not mention older chickens in your flock, so I assume there aren't any we need to concern ourselves with, but please correct me if this is incorrect.

 

[jgrove]

Oh fun! I can’t wait to see them run around in their coop. I do not have any older chickens to deal with- these are my first. Thank you for your reply!! Going to set up a little playpen for them

 

[azygous]

You are going to laugh yourself silly seeing what your chicks are capable of.

If you really want to see a circus, get some meal worms. Give them one at a time and watch what happens.

 

[Molpet]

funnels or cones on top of the waters make it so they will not land on them..
but yes they are ready for day camp outside