Is outdoor brooding good for me?

[tigger19687]

I too will be adding 2 more to the flock of 4. Still not sure if I will do chicks or older pullets.
I also read Blooie and azygous threads.
Great Articles BTW !
I have a spot in the coop I can section off under the nest boxes for chicks.

and if I do Pullets I have a kids play house on the other side of the coop I can section off and fix up a bit.

I too have time before I decide. For me it will be if I can find Organic Pullets in the Black Australorp breed

 

[ChxLadyCass]

I am going to take my first whack at outdoor MHP brooding! My girls are all almost 1 day old this afternoon. They are just in their warmer brooder, but will make the big move tomorrow! I have 2 coops, so I set up a brooder in the old 4ft X 8ft coop. (Complete with a swing, ramp, old tire dust bath, a protected run inside the big girls' run, THE WORKS!)
SO excited for this transition, but I do have one concern!

Although this coop has been empty for months, I STILL have a terrible mouse problem. I have tried to seal it up, but the rodents just keep coming in. While I had the MHP stored inside, the mice starting eating the press n seal plastic I had over the MHP towel. I fear they will get worse, once there is food inside (which I will plan to remove at night).

Are mice a danger to my baby chicks? I feel as if the mice are as big as my chicks and fear for their safety! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[azygous]

Mice are less of a danger to chicks than rats, but they still can carry serious disease that you don't want. The problem is catching them. I have a mice problem in my run right now, and I'm afraid they're winning.

There are many homemade clever rodent traps on the internet that you might want to investigate. Here's one that I've never seen before that I may give a try. I love the beady little headlight eyes of the mice as they approach their doom.

 

[trudyg]

To add to the comment about a 2-person tent--they have small tents for cats to sleep in that look just like a people tent. Maybe 15" diameter on the floor and domed, with an opening in one part. You could maybe get something like that for them to go in away from weather. Just a thought. Or you could make a 'wool hen' and cover it with waterproof material for them to shelter and stay warm under, since it's just during the daytime.

 

[tigger19687]

If that bucket is not a go for you, try the ZAP electric rat killer.
Electric so do this BEFORE you get chicks as you will kill chicks with it.
Worked on my chipmunks and moles I had. but that water bucket is cool and if I had not already had the ZAP I would have made the bucket.

Maybe raise the "coop" upa few inches above the ground might help a little

 

[ChxLadyCass]

I should mention I live out of town so getting rid of the mice is impossible! I'll kill a few and a thousand more will come! Just need to know they won't be hurting the babies! Thanks!

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Ok sorry for so many questions, but what about a simple cardboard box in the outdoor run for the chicks? I could cut two holes in it (chick size), would they know it's a safe, wind-less spot? Or would they ignore it?

 

[ChxLadyCass]

Ok sorry for so many questions, but what about a simple cardboard box in the outdoor run for the chicks? I could cut two holes in it (chick size), would they know it's a safe, wind-less spot? Or would they ignore it?

I think they'd find it if they needed it! They're instincts take pretty good care of them!