Help! Chicks first day out went down wrong.

[Tucker91]

We put ours out today for the first time in one of our puppy play pens that we use for our rabbit. We were able to squeeze the brooder in there, we covered the top of the pen with fake grass carpet so no one could fly out. It went better then expected. We left the brooder box in with them and they would fly up and roost on it until eventually, they all flew back into the brooder so we put them back in the wash room. I think being able to put the brooder in the pen was hugely helpful! Here are a couple of pictures from today!
The little bantam hung out on the barred rock's back for a good 10 minutes. They both were dozing. LOL!

 

[newmarch2014]

Maybe try just half of them at a time so you do not have so much to keep rounded up.

 

[Gingersnap722]

Yes they surely did not like the change. I'm afraid with 11 of them if i tried to let them down on the open ground and they got loose i would never catch them. We are completely covered up with chicken hawks and a few eagles. I'm afraid i am a coward so i will have to use a run. I do intend on letting them free range eventually. jeez i never once thought i would become this attached to chickens.

I never thought I would like chickens at all and I'm very attached!!