Getting Ready to send to the Coop

[ccrecelius]

My chicks are about 6 weeks old now. I build a small temporary coop right by my house and they have done really well there. I am just about done building their big coop. I am planning on letting them "free range" during the day! I am just really nervous about turning them out! These are my (or rather my 7 year olds) first chickens (as I am the one doing all of the work, I keep calling them mine!). Is there anything I can do to protect them?

 

[ibpboo]

its so scarey when moving them out, you'll worry a lot. Make sure your coop is very secure to keep out predators. While they are free ranging, make sure they have a lot of things to hide under. I have hawks that fly over head and at night foxes and skunks and possums. Have strong wire held on tight and a good covering on coop, what sort of predators do you have?

 

[ccrecelius]

I have no idea what might try and get them. Since this is supposed to be a project between my ex-husband and our 7 year old daughter, the big coop is going to be on the other side of the farm. Where he wants it to be. I don't even know what to look for.

 

[dixygirl]

Please don't do it

There are hawks, eagles, dogs, cats, raccoons, possums, foxes that will all kill your poor babies. It is just so dangerous to leave them out because they are totally defenseless.

I would hate to hear later about you and your daughter being broken hearted over losing your pets.

I am scared to death for the lives of my animals and i do everything i can to protect them.Maybe at least fence in an area with chicken wire and throw a net on top for them to roam inside.

Please be careful.
dixy

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I had a hard time putting mine out too! Read here --> http://journals.aol.com/breakaway1968/hangin-wit-my-peeps/entries/2008/06/24/im-a-bad-chicken-mommy-/2463

I wouldn't put them so far away...they will need you to watch over them. I have my coop where I can see it from the living room window. I spend hours every day with them. They are the nicest chickens ever and LOVE humans. I just have a feeling your going to want them where you can see them

 

[ccrecelius]

LOL I read your link!!! I haven't actually moved mine to the coop yet. I keep finding more things I need to do with it first! Maybe in a week or so..... And then again I am thinking of having my ex-husband move the coop (if he will) closer to my house. What fun is it to have chickens if you cannot watch them and watch over them. I will let you know how I actually do, when I work up the nerve to do it!!!

 

[ibpboo]

How far is 'other side of the farm'? How big is coop over there? If its far, then 6 week old chicks may be too young. Just really depends on what type predators etc. My 4 week olds are outside now, but at night they are locked in tack room and during the day they are in a playhouse. I have a small wire enclosure that I can also let them go in, but only when I am home, I so need another coop! My 6 year old girls pick on any newcomers. A few times I have let the 3 (almost 4) month olds sleep in the coop with them but during the day they stay up on the shelves and roosts, so they are still just free ranging during the day and then sleeping in tack room at night, with the silkie and now the 4 week olds. Oh my!