I love them, but it is time to go into the "real world"

[Christian J]

I have two Easter Egger pullets about 4 or 5 weeks old. They live in my bedroom in a brooder I made. I just ordered a coop kit yesterday because they need to transition outside. there are so many opinions out there, and im new to chickens so I would love to hear what your advice is for successful and safe transition outdoors. Here are the facts:
1. Northern California is about 50 at night at coldest and ~90(at least) daily it seems all summer til Late October.
2. They will be in my backyard. There's not much shade.
3. There are skunks, hawks, cats, and raccoons around sometimes.
4. They are still on starter medicated food and are both healthy and happy.

Let me know if there is anything else that would be of use to know. Maybe you have a favourite article about this? I've been pouring through the articles but the principles don't seem consistent and I don't want to make any major( or stupid) errors. Thanks everyone for your help and sharing your experiences!

 

[auroaSfarm]

I waited till mine were 7 weeks old till I put them out so they had more feathers to warm themselves at night during the day make sure u have a medium sized water or larger with cool water and maybe some iced cubes so it stays cold for them.

 

[auroaSfarm]

About your predator problem if you have farm dogs - Shepard- -hounds- they protect them from raccoons. Make sure they have a fence or something around them to protect them, and have nice fluffy hay or straw. Hawks will try to get them so I'd keep them inside the coop till they get. A bit bigger .

 

[Mace Gill]

If you have only two and you're not planning on having a lot more chickens, smaller is better for the coop ... conserves body heat. The coop should be elevated, dry, and ventilated and the elevation will offer some shade.

Make the run as big as you can manage. Should be fenced overhead as well. Around the bottom, you should bury the wire several inches ... you want to keep out digging predators as well. Racoons are Wiley, they can 'figure out' how to undo door catches if they are motivated enough.

 

[Christian J]

I waited till mine were 7 weeks old till I put them out so they had more feathers to warm themselves at night during the day make sure u have a medium sized water or larger with cool water and maybe some iced cubes so it stays cold for them.

Thank you for the information!

 

[Christian J]

About your predator problem if you have farm dogs - Shepard- -hounds- they protect them from raccoons. Make sure they have a fence or something around them to protect them, and have nice fluffy hay or straw. Hawks will try to get them so I'd keep them inside the coop till they get. A bit bigger .

What kind of Shepard dogs do you recommend? Is there a certain breed that's really good with chickens? My kids have been wanting a dog for a while now so maybe now is the best time to get one so it has a double purpose!

 

[Christian J]

If you have only two and you're not planning on having a lot more chickens, smaller is better for the coop ... conserves body heat. The coop should be elevated, dry, and ventilated and the elevation will offer some shade.

Make the run as big as you can manage. Should be fenced overhead as well. Around the bottom, you should bury the wire several inches ... you want to keep out digging predators as well. Racoons are Wiley, they can 'figure out' how to undo door catches if they are motivated enough.

Thank you so much for the tips! I didn't know raccoons were so witty! Will take precautions.

 

[Mace Gill]

What kind of Shepard dogs do you recommend? Is there a certain breed that's really good with chickens? My kids have been wanting a dog for a while now so maybe now is the best time to get one so it has a double purpose!

Australian Shepherd ... or border collie ... I'd say either of them. They don't like just being pet dogs, they like having jobs

 

[lazy gardener]

Your pullets will be fine outside at 4 weeks old.

 

[chickens really]

My Hen Has Chicks that are 10 days old...She has them outside foraging all day long...They have been out with the flock since they were 5 days old....Your Chicks are beyond ready to begin a life of a Chicken...You will need to provide some type of shade for them....
Best wishes....