Help, moving chicks outside

[brood mother]

Ok, well then I believe the rest of the older chicks will be going to the coop today! It's supposed to be in the low 60s for the next three nights so they should be fine. On the nights it's supposed to get in the 40s I will turn on the heat lamp for them. Also trying to get them a temp "play area" together so they can have a little outside play time each day till my husband can get back home from work and finish their temp run to help integrate with the big hens!

 

[latb611]

Last night, my 4 chicks spent their fourth night out in the coop. Tomorrow we will have had them for 5 weeks. Last night it got down to 60 degrees by 6am and it was the first night I didn't provide a heat lamp. Most of the night (until about 2am) it was in the low 70s or upper 60s. They seemed okay this morning and were anxious to exit the coop and get to their food even though it was still in the 60s when I let them out of the coop and into their run. I'm going to try to only use the heatlamp if we're going to get a really cold night (30s, 40s).The wind here yesterday and last night was strong, but the day temps. are getting into the 80s. I provided a wind break for them yesterday and when I let them out of the run for a few minutes - I thought the wind was going to blow them away! They are very satisfied being outdoors and I spent yesterday cleaning my house of chick dust and pine shavings. Currently, they have pine shavings in their outdoor run, but that was a mistake. When it's ready to be covered, we're going to use an organize pine bark mulch. It sits much better in the run - the shavings have blown everywhere with the strong winds and doesn't look as nice in the run (not natural). It's good for the coop though, so far. Trixie - our Easter Egger, loving her sand dust bath. Three of the girls enjoying life in their new home.

I like this idea of giving them a box of sand to dust bath in but what kind do you use?

 

[SusanPC]

This is just plain old local construction sand. It was leftover from a paver project, which my husband had delivered to our house from a dirt/sand company. I've read on these boards that a lot of people recommend washed river sand. Some people have even used play sand, but then others have said don't use it - not sure of the reasons. I also have a friend who's going to give me her wood ash (from fireplace or woodstove). That is also supposed to be good material for dust-bathing and can be mixed with sand too. I hope this helps.

 

[grampsjim]

My chicks have been in their coop for three days and are ao happy. I let them run around in their chicken yard supervised today! Unfortunately I have no grass so I had to go dig up some transplants. But they had a blast digging for bugs and grass. Does anyone know an easy way to herd them back into the coop??? It is a chore!!!

I use a medium sized fish net to catch mine. The are 5 weeks old and in the grow out pen that hubby built for them and loving in. I just herd them into a corned and catch them one or two at
a time.

 

[grampsjim]

My 5 week olds are outside in their grow out run and coop. I converted and old doghouse to be their coop and put a low roost in it.
I haven't let them outside at night yet, but brought them back to their brooder with no heat lamp in a couple of days now. It's supposed to storm but I think I'll put them in the coop and devise a door to keep them in. They are fully feathered and night temps are only going to be in the 40's.
My next concern is how to integrate them into the rest of the flock. I'll take any ideas. I just don't want the big girls pecking on them and hurt them. I haven't figured out the pecking order thing yet.

 

[okjenyp]

I use a medium sized fish net to catch mine. The are 5 weeks old and in the grow out pen that hubby built for them and loving in. I just herd them into a corned and catch them one or two at
a time.

They have been outside a week now and are good about getting in their house by dark. Now if my husband would just remember to shut the door.. Can't wait for my auto door to get here

 

[SusanPC]

Hooray! My four 5-week old girls put themselves into the coop tonight. This is their sixth night in the coop and run. First night I picked them up and put them in. All other nights, I've lured them in with a few dried mealworms. Tonight, I was busy and realized it was getting dark and when I looked outside I saw them marching up the ladder. By the time I got out to the coop there was one girl left and when she saw me putting the worms in the coop she flew up and in. I shut the door and all is well. That was a lot easier than I thought it would be! Chickens are awesome - much easier to train than my dog...

 

[brood mother]

I have a question. I have two seperate coops right now. The smaller one has my four hens in it with and attached enclosed run. The new much larger and much nicer coop has the chicks in it. They haven't been outside of the coop yet. We were beginning on a huge fenced off area for all of them to eventually use when my husband got called to work( offshore). It is goin to all connect to they have the enclised area in case if weather. And chicks will have a small temp run while getting to know the girls right next door lol.

My question is should I, or when should I allow the babies to use the "open" yard when it's done?? It won't be covered and I worry cause they are so much smaller.

 

[Yup44]

The chicks will be safe as soon as I install the electric fence to keep unwanted critters out

 

[Toffjob]

So, I am in a bit of a situation that I could use some advice on. My mother and I have 6 chicks/pullets (I think). We started with 4 - Golden Link and Maran that are now about 4 weeks, and an Easter Egger and Orpington about 5-6 weeks. However, mom just can home last Saterday with 2 Polish Crested chicks, can't be more than a week old. So, the 4 older girls seem ready for the coop, but the Polish are way too small. The obvious answer would be to take the big girls outside and keep the small ones in for a couple more weeks. The trouble is the Pols and EE have developed a close bond that I'd hate to sever (EE will cry for any others that we separate from the group). Any suggestions for how to proceed?