Get out of my basement :-)

[hjvac25]

Ok we have chicks that are 6 weeks old. We live in Michigan - can they go out now? It looks like next week will be 60 during the day and around 50 at night?

ALSO, we have a large dog kennel set up with a coop inside. Thinking about putting some sort of netting on the top to help keep out animals - any suggestions?

THANKS

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

I think they should be fine - But don't hold me to that. Maybe put a lamp in there and see how they do during the day. If they are huddling under the lamp, bring them back in. If not, they should be fine.

As for the dog kennel - Try some deer netting. It is fairly inexpensive and won't get weighed down with rain, snow, or leaves. Although, sometimes leaves will get stuck, but I doubt it will break if you tightly fasten it to the top.


Do you have any pictures?

 

[Joe.G]

Well I had enough today and kicked mine out to the coop, they were dusty and smelly, Mine are just about 5 Weeks, and I have them in a cage to keep them away from the adult birds.

 

[Keltara]

I live in Michigan too. I'm not sure what part of Michigan you are in. I'm in SE Michigan and next week's lows are calling for the 30's and 40's. I'd be careful about putting them out just yet without a night time heat source for them. They'll most likely fare well with a heat lamp, but I wouldn't leave them in those temps just yet. What breed do you have? I know how at the 6 week point, you are certainly wanting them out of the house!! As far as your dog kennel set up. . .keep in mind that animals can easily reach in through cyclone fencing and grab chickens. Racoon's and even hawks have been known to do this. You may want to put something around the bottom 3 feet such as hardware cloth. A netting across the top can easily be breached by raccoon's. I have chicken wire in my run, but I wish it were a finer mesh like hardware cloth. Being that the top of the kennel is open, just be sure that their coop is Fort Knox so that the raccoons can't get them at night. Good luck!

Kelly
✿Our Country Chronicle✿​

 

[CptCluck]

Ours are at 6 weeks and we can barely stand them... I got sand today for the coop, but it's all wet. Should I wait for the sand to dry out before we put them in?

(I'm in Indiana, I believe it's warm enough now)