Looking to Week 5

[AnchoredHomestead]

As we look forward to week 5, the plan currently is to begin “gardening” the chicks…taking them for visits outside on clear days so they can start adjusting. Given the avian flu concerns, is there anything I should consider as we do this? Will visiting outside in the grass, sun and fresh air be safe? Or is best practice to have them visit with a covered area? Not trying to overthink, while also protecting our girls! TIA

 

[cherrynberry]

As we look forward to week 5, the plan currently is to begin “gardening” the chicks…taking them for visits outside on clear days so they can start adjusting. Given the avian flu concerns, is there anything I should consider as we do this? Will visiting outside in the grass, sun and fresh air be safe? Or is best practice to have them visit with a covered area? Not trying to overthink, while also protecting our girls! TIA

You can also just get some grass/bits of soil and add it into their brooder. That will help them build immunity too.

 

[AnchoredHomestead]

You can also just get some grass/bits of soil and add it into their brooder. That will help them build immunity too.

Yes! That helps the safety aspect. It wouldn’t help with the temperature acclimation though. They’re in the house still and with a brooding plate which they only seem to go under for periodic moments at night when the house temp drops a bit. We’re still in the upper 50’s, low 60’s here and will be for a bit, so my concern would be them not being able to adjust to temps outdoors when they get put in a coop in a few weeks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you already have the coop and run ready? If so, I'd restrict their visits to that area only, since that's where they'll be once they're outside, rather than giving them access to other areas that might be a little less protected from other birds passing by.

 

[AnchoredHomestead]

Do you already have the coop and run ready? If so, I'd restrict their visits to that area only, since that's where they'll be once they're outside, rather than giving them access to other areas that might be a little less protected from other birds passing by.

They have an intermediary coop and run yes, however the run is covered by hardware cloth on top so the field where it is is essentially open for wild bird poo to go through. Not sure how concerning that is in the grand scheme of things.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Flu virus outside a body lasts 24 hrs.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not sure how concerning that is in the grand scheme of things.

If it's small enough, you could use a tarp to temporarily cover it. Otherwise, you'll need to weigh your risk tolerance... they do need to go outside at some point, but I don't know what the timetable is on the permanent run or how much more biosecure that run will be.