Moving 2-month-old chicks outside.

[mikkisha caldwell]

Hello,

So our two-month-old little girls have 100% outgrown their brooder and we have had them in a make-shift pen in my poor husband's man cave because I am afraid of having them in the terrible heat (Central Texas).

But they really are outgrowing their spot and I need to get them outside. We bought them a nice chicken coupe that has lots of ventilation and are making a lean-to over it to keep it shaded. However, it still makes me nervous. Especially when my dash temperature gauge reads 105. Does anyone have any advice on how best to manage this? I don't want to put them at risk and not provide what they need.

 

[Tookie]

Hi! I'm in Central Texas too! It has been very hot. That coop does not have enough ventilation and therefore it becomes an oven in there. How many chicks do you have?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Don't put your birds into that airless, little box.

Make a big, wire box with a 3-sided shelter on one end so that they can be comfortable in your hot climate.

Here is my article on hot climate chicken-keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

And my article on coop ventilation: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

My outdoor brooder: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-to-outdoor-brooder-conversion.76634/

My latest build -- which I admit is not as predator-proof as is optimal, but is serving well for it's intended purpose: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/camp-cockerel.1532487/

And some Open Air coops to inspire you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-positive-local-action-coop.72804/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/california-living.68130/

 

[mikkisha caldwell]

I only have two, that was what I was worried about. there is an attachment so they can go in and out safely.

 

[mikkisha caldwell]

Welcome to BYC.

Don't put your birds into that airless, little box.

Make a big, wire box with a 3-sided shelter on one end so that they can be comfortable in your hot climate.

Here is my article on hot climate chicken-keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

And my article on coop ventilation: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

My outdoor brooder: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-to-outdoor-brooder-conversion.76634/

My latest build -- which I admit is not as predator-proof as is optimal, but is serving well for it's intended purpose: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/camp-cockerel.1532487/

And some Open Air coops to inspire you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-positive-local-action-coop.72804/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/california-living.68130/

Thank you!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I have a coop like that. It was supposed to be my broody coop but its home to five grown hens right now who for various reasons can't manage in the big coop. We built a MUCH bigger run and attached it to the useless little run it came with and put it entirely in the shade. They sleep in it just fine with the door open but they also have a roost outside they can sleep on if they like. You could try building a roost (a ladder will work) in the run if its predator proof that theh can sleep on