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DobieLover said:
Any mouse that decided to try to get into my coop or run would quickly become a tasty treat for the flock. I've never had a problem with rodents. I also don't leave feed out at night.
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Hahaha yeah I have multiple cats that hang around the coop waiting for a chance at the chicks anyway. so the mice hopefully will be taken care of but I'd just as soon buy 1/4 inch if it's not marginally more expensive
 
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rjohns39 said:
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy you've decided to join us :ya

Loved the pics :love I agree with Dobie on the half inch HW Cloth. I also recommend attaching it with screws and fender washers as many predators are well versed at pulling out staples. As for the 10% rule, it is just a rule of thumb but one to stay within. Many feed elements are wonderful, but not good if they get too much. Sticking to the 10% rule will keep you safe from that type of issue. As for corn and scratch, they are fine treats as long as you stay within that 10%. Lots of folks think that corn is just an empty filler and compare it to human digestion. We don't have the same digestive system as your birds who can and do make good use of all the nutrients it has to offer.
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Thank you very much, very useful information! Definitely something to consider, I know raccoons can be really crafty. I think as well as making sure everything is bolted down and everything but air tight I will get a few pet safe animal traps and try to relocate as many things as I can. Always good to have another opinion on the feed
 
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Finally stopping by to greet you! Glad you're enjoying your new chicks, they must be around 4-5 weeks by now? I love Barred Rocks.

I hate to say it, but you'll have to set your personal feelings aside and try to help your chicks acclimate by exposing them to the outdoors sooner rather than later. You could end up doing more harm than good by babying them. I've heard stories of folks letting their (far-too-old) young birds outside for the first time and suddenly they get coccidiosis or another illness they could have easily built immunities to if only they had been gradually exposed to their environment. Or heated coops that experience a power outage can leave unacclimated birds really suffering or frozen.

You can start turning off the heat lamp for a few hours during the day and see how they do. Also take them outside for short visits. If you're still not comfortable quite yet, at least dig up a chunk of sod to put in their brooder to expose them to your ground. My chicks were brooded in the coop with a MHP and exposed to day/night temps ranging from 30s to 60s F and off heat by 4 weeks. Your birds look to be almost fully feathered and won't need the heat lamp much longer at all. If you're really concerned about winter temps, there's a product called a Sweeter Heater or Cozy Coop that offers just enough radiant heat to keep the chill away, and much safer than a heat lamp.

No need to add sand for bedding... shavings are great on their own. Down the road you might consider adding a poop tray filled with Sweet PDZ under the roosts to catch droppings and make cleanup so much easier. Then you'll only have to clean out the shavings once or twice a year!

Instead of giving so many treats, chicks usually enjoy activities a lot more. Put some perches in the brooder to help train their feet to hold onto a roost. Put in a large container with sand or dry dirt for a dust bath, they will love it! You can also put a bale (or just a flake at a time) of hay or straw out for them to scratch through. A hanging suet feeder with veggie scraps or homemade suet is great fun for them to jump and peck at.

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Limit treats to a handful once or twice a week, not a couple times a day. One scrambled or hard boiled egg is enough for all 3, and it's a more affordable healthy protein source than mealworms. Too much protein can harm the kidneys. Chop up tomatoes, grapes or melon etc--just enough so each bird gets 2-3 bites, smaller pieces can go further. If you don't offer treats very often, they are easier to train to come when called. Just say your special call every time you give a treat or their regular feed (I click my tongue like for a horse). This will get them running back to the coop even if they're out free ranging. Mix up your treats so they never know what to expect. It may take some time for them to start loving veggies/fruits... because who really wants a salad when you know someone's bringing chocolate cake pretty soon? When/if feeding scratch, sprinkle just a tiny bit before bedtime to keep their gizzard working through the night.

Well, I hope that about covers most of it for now.
Best wishes in your new chicken adventure!
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feathermaid said:
View attachment 1940905

View attachment 1940906 Finally stopping by to greet you! Glad you're enjoying your new chicks, they must be around 4-5 weeks by now? I love Barred Rocks.

I hate to say it, but you'll have to set your personal feelings aside and try to help your chicks acclimate by exposing them to the outdoors sooner rather than later. You could end up doing more harm than good by babying them. I've heard stories of folks letting their (far-too-old) young birds outside for the first time and suddenly they get coccidiosis or another illness they could have easily built immunities to if only they had been gradually exposed to their environment. Or heated coops that experience a power outage can leave unacclimated birds really suffering or frozen.

You can start turning off the heat lamp for a few hours during the day and see how they do. Also take them outside for short visits. If you're still not comfortable quite yet, at least dig up a chunk of sod to put in their brooder to expose them to your ground. My chicks were brooded in the coop with a MHP and exposed to day/night temps ranging from 30s to 60s F and off heat by 4 weeks. Your birds look to be almost fully feathered and won't need the heat lamp much longer at all. If you're really concerned about winter temps, there's a product called a Sweeter Heater or Cozy Coop that offers just enough radiant heat to keep the chill away, and much safer than a heat lamp.

No need to add sand for bedding... shavings are great on their own. Down the road you might consider adding a poop tray filled with Sweet PDZ under the roosts to catch droppings and make cleanup so much easier. Then you'll only have to clean out the shavings once or twice a year!

Instead of giving so many treats, chicks usually enjoy activities a lot more. Put some perches in the brooder to help train their feet to hold onto a roost. Put in a large container with sand or dry dirt for a dust bath, they will love it! You can also put a bale (or just a flake at a time) of hay or straw out for them to scratch through. A hanging suet feeder with veggie scraps or homemade suet is great fun for them to jump and peck at.

View attachment 1940934
View attachment 1940935

Limit treats to a handful once or twice a week, not a couple times a day. One scrambled or hard boiled egg is enough for all 3, and it's a more affordable healthy protein source than mealworms. Too much protein can harm the kidneys. Chop up tomatoes, grapes or melon etc--just enough so each bird gets 2-3 bites, smaller pieces can go further. If you don't offer treats very often, they are easier to train to come when called. Just say your special call every time you give a treat or their regular feed (I click my tongue like for a horse). This will get them running back to the coop even if they're out free ranging. Mix up your treats so they never know what to expect. It may take some time for them to start loving veggies/fruits... because who really wants a salad when you know someone's bringing chocolate cake pretty soon? When/if feeding scratch, sprinkle just a tiny bit before bedtime to keep their gizzard working through the night.

Well, I hope that about covers most of it for now.
Best wishes in your new chicken adventure! View attachment 1940932
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This is all extremely helpful information. I don't even know how to process all of it right now haha but thank you very much! I will reference a few things in that post for sure!
 

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