Hens? And using a large plastic dog kennel for an overnight lockup, and other questions...

[chicken toes]

Current indoor brooder/coop...they need to stay somewhere else...and soon!

Big girls


Big girls' coop


Teens

Here are my two "ameraucana" chicks. They are now about 10 weeks old...give or take...does this age seem right?

Firstly, are they female? I was assured by the guy at the local feed store they are. And what breed? They do not look like the pics on the Ameraucana chickens website I looked at today.

Secondly, they are becoming too large and quite frankly, smelly, to keep inside at night. I have a huge cement mixing tub with a tall screened lid for them to stay in at night...on my kitchen table. Hubby is tired of it sitting there and a little tired of the lovely aroma when he comes down to leave for work. They stay in an enclosed area during the day. Its a chain link fenced in area we had for our dogs. They love it out there.

I have a large plastic dog kennel, the kind for airline travel. I am thinking of cooping them into it at night, but outside instead of in my kitchen. Would they be okay if the kennel is secure? I can't put them in with the big girls yet, I don't think. There seems to be too much of a size difference still. Plus, the one time I tried to introduce them, one of my two big girls pecked the teen chicken's head. So sad to see.

Any ideas for keeping them out of the house now. I am in Texas and our weather is definitely warm enough for them to stay outdoors. They no longer use a heat source.

 

[0wen]

Easter Eggers. I know feed and farm stores label them as Ameraucans, but they're unfortunately not. For the most part, you'll only get Ameraucanas from Ameraucana breeders - the labeling in stores is misleading and many people are disappointed when they find the truth. EE's are great though and imho, a better backyard/farm bird. Disclaimer in that I've had limited exposure to Ameraucanas and didn't care for them, but there are just as many who love them.

The dog crate should be a suitable temporary home. Place it/Turn it where they aren't getting a direct breeze and they should be able to weather it out well enough. I know people have pet house chickens, but I can't believe you made it 10 weeks with chickens inside. Mine use to get kicked out early - 3 weeks or so. I'm "worse" now in that I brood them outside from the start now. I applaud your patience.

 

[chicken toes]

fenced in area where they previously had daytime playtime


Dog crate converted to temporary coop.





The teens...

Hello! Thanks for the information.

I rigged up the dog crate outside and it worked great. They were cozy and comfortable.

I let them out in the backyard yesterday with the 2 adults. There were no problems. They mostly kept to themselves.

I will let them free range with the big girls for a while before I start the coop sharing integration.

I think once they are used to each other on a roaming basis, the coop sharing will come naturally.