Help! New chicken mommy with restless chicks!

[RVAFanfarmer]

I have two Black Australorps and one Americauna (sp) chicks that are 5 weeks old. Americauna feathered out a few weeks ago but the other two still have fuzz heads but all their other feathers. They are restless in their brooder. I let them out during the day for a few hours in their coop but bring them in at 7 every night before it gets dark. I live in Richmond, VA and weather has been nice lately not too cool yet at night.

They are very talkative and I can tell by their different chirps if they are happy or annoyed etc. I admit I am chicken co-dependent : } They get really excited when they see me and start squaking and raising cane and I am afraid they will hurt each other as they run back and forth. I would love to move them outside permanently. When can I do this? Do I need to wait till the two have their real feathers on their head? I know I will be sleepless when I finally get them out their for their first night alone.

Thanks for any advise and I have learned so much from this group!!!
Michele

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Michele,

I let my chicks out in a portable run from day 2, with their mother, and totally free range from week 3-4. I live in Kenya where it is warm all year round. If it is still mild, it may not do them any harm to be out and about, but it my be wise to get advice from other BYC members who live in similar climes to yourself. Maybe check out the "where are you" threads and see if there is a group of BYCers in your area?

Good luck
CT

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

At that age mine are in the coop, if I'm worried about night time temperature I will use a heat lamp at night. But usually just closing them up in the coop makes it warm enough. At 5 weeks I would be brooding at 65 degrees, so I would probably not provide heat anymore for them, just get them in the coop at night.

 

[RVAFanfarmer]

They are off heat. And I am their momma. I am a bit worried because we bought the Urban Coop Company starter coop and it is pretty exposed unless we put the sides up except for the part where they can go to lay eggs. I want them to feel comfortable. May be selling it and getting a bigger coop with an enclosed area. Newbies....

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

They would be ok out in their coop I would think. Chickens are pretty tough and they do have almost all their feathers, plus body warmth from snuggling will help them stay warm.

From what I've seen at farm stores and read here, a lot of the pre-built coops are too small for the number of birds they say will fit. You would most likely be happier with one you either build or get someone to build for you. A site built coop will probably be more durable too. You don't have to spend a fortune on one for the chickens to have what they need. It's possible to build a very satisfactory coop with recycled materials. Check out the Coop tab for ideas and stories written by the members that have built their own, you'll find some really good ideas.

 

[RVAFanfarmer]

We ordered the Urban coop because it is made in America and really sturdy. Hubby put it together. It's wonderful as its really well made but too small. But we may be able to find someone who wants a prebuilt one of these. It was not cheap so we will probably try and do that. Thanks!!!