It is TIME!

[Acre4Me]

Yes, get them outside for the day starting today!! You are a stronger person than I to keep chickens in your home for so long. My limit is 1 week, then I can’t stand it!! We were still building our coop and didn’t get it done until ours were about 4 months old. They were in the run during the day and in The brooder in the garage at night until coop was done. We’ve also used a portable dog fence -4’ tall x 6 panels that were 2’ wide each, so we could put it around a tree or put up some garden stakes to stabilize it free standing. Just put them in most/all shade with food and water.

Enjoy the chicks, and good luck on speedily finishing your coop!

 

[rosemarythyme]

So do y’all think I’ll be ok with putting them out in the coop for a few days to let them get used to being outside while I finish up installing the skirt around the coop and enclosure?

Yup should be good doing it that way. Just make sure to check in on them at the hotter parts of day to make sure no one is suffering too much from heat stress. Having shade over the coop for most of the day plus plenty of open ventilation will definitely help with that.

 

[Bear1978]

Thanks! I just finished up with the run door and the coop window that will have the screened in opening. I just half to install the skirt and shore up a few open spots at the top of the run where there’s about a 2in gap between a few boards. I’ll have them out there by tomorrow afternoon for sure!

 

[Bear1978]

So it’s 6:30 here where I live and it’s 92 degrees with a heat index of 104. The sun is lower in the sky and there’s no shade in my run now due to the sun’s position as it’s setting. Should I get a tarp and cover the west facing side of the run partially to provide more shade or will the chicks be ok with ample water and the cool of the coop?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you put a thermometer inside the coop and see what it registers inside at this point?

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, check the coop temperature in a couple of places, I have three thermometers in my coop, so it's clear what's going on. And add shade to the west, without blocking any breezes that come from that direction.
And plant trees and shrubs to provide shade in the future!
Mary

 

[Bear1978]

I just put a thermometer in the middle of the coop. I have a young oak tree about 15ft high that’s starting to block the sun now. The roosts are on the east wall of the coop so that’s good.

 

[Bear1978]

 

[Bear1978]

Ok, the coop is pretty much ready for them to move into while I finish the skirting around the run. Has anyone found if it’s best do move them out into it from inside in the morning or later in the day closer to dusk?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok, the coop is pretty much ready for them to move into while I finish the skirting around the run. Has anyone found if it’s best do move them out into it from inside in the morning or later in the day closer to dusk?

Morning, or at least earlier in the day. It gives them time to get used to it with a nice long stretch of daylight.