How to keep bedding clean and dry?

[raingarden]

Mama is still a pretty new addition. I kept her in the cage for two weeks when we first got her. Shortly after letting her out, she started brooding.

Try introducing them if you haven't already. Sometimes having chicks elevates the hen's pecking order status. They are usually less likely to take any grief from the others.

A cheap beach umbrella that you stick in the sand can buy time to make something better.

 

[3KillerBs]

Besides a tree, no. I think I will have to buy them a portable canopy.

What about the coop itself?

A canopy is a helpful thing regardless.

 

[3KillerBs]

They're in the XL dog crate, which is 42.8" L X 28.7" W X 30.3" H.

I was planning on letting them out by week 3 or 4. If it wasn't for the weather, I'd let them out by week 2. Not sure how old they should be when out in the wet weather though.

Won't the babies be able to slip through the bars away from Mama?

 

[citychicks99]

Won't the babies be able to slip through the bars away from Mama?

Yes. I figured by next week they won't be able to anymore.

The coop is pretty big. It's like a shed. I can walk in there myself. I built a small run for my other chickens last year using a tarp and movable garden fencing. I'll have to get creative this weekend and see what I can do to build them another run.

 

[citychicks99]

I decided to let everyone out today. All the baby chicks have been coming out and one of them even walked out of the coop. They all still try to stay close to mama, of course. They also spilled the water so I let everyone out so I can clean the crate. It's not raining today anyway and the sun was out a bit, but it's in the 50s. They're all now hanging out by the side of my house, taking dust baths. The other chickens are still bullying mama a bit but they're ignoring the chicks for the most part.