Moving chicks for outside play time

[harveyhorses]

I have mine trained to come to 'treats' and shake the mealworm bag. The first mealworm the teenagers (then babies) thought I was trying to poison them, then one brave girl took one and the rest is history. People get very amused when they are out in the yard and I need to put them up, those fluffy butts sure can move when motivated.
Hope this makes it a little easier. And they do settle down.

 

[harveyhorses]

Well, lost the first chicken. I was helping hubby with dinner when I saw the dog trot past the door with something white and chicken-like in her mouth. Sure enough, she had a bird. It was still alive, some broken feathers and one small puncture hole. I didn't feel anything broken, but she didn't open her eyes much and wasn't fussing when I picked her up, and we didn't know if she was just in shock or mortally wounded, so we put her in a box in the garage next to the others. She passed after about an hour. I wish I had known how bad off she was. I almost put her down right after the accident, but then I just didn't know and couldn't do it if it was possible she might recover.

Don't know how or when she got out of the garage. We've been using the outside water faucet to refill the water, so she could conceivably have been out for a day or two. We might have missed her when we had outside play time Saturday. Might have been something else attacked her and the dog just found her. Don't think so, though. Dog loves to chase and catch things. I've watched her catch a mouse. She plays with it like I have heard cats do.

And this is why I got so many birds that I can't tell individuals and don't give them names. She was one of the 7 or 8 white ones. We planted a tree that had been in a pot over her, next to the coop. The baby chicks we lost early on are there with blackberry bush seedlings.

I'm so sorry, even if she didn't have a name, she was loved.

 

[silarajc]

Thank you, harveyhorses. Yes, every life is precious and valued, and the best memorial I can do is to have them continue another life.

 

[shartnett5]

Hi everybody, we have 19 chicks and live in a 2 level duplex. Our tenant informed us she brought something in from outside and now has cockroaches. we have an exterminator coming tmrw to do both floors. Along with all the other prep work i have to do to be ready i have to get all the animals out for 4 hours. it will be 87-92 here tmrw. Could i have a lg dog crate or pen set up and just bring them outside with us. they will be a week old. I could set a pen up in garage with the lamp if its cooler in there. I am looking for any advise. It has been a stressful few days. 1 died yesterday out of the 20. no pasty butt, just was the runty lil guy of the litter and was always quiet and laying down. used save a chick for past few days etc.

 

[silarajc]

Hi everybody, we have 19 chicks and live in a 2 level duplex. Our tenant informed us she brought something in from outside and now has cockroaches. we have an exterminator coming tmrw to do both floors. Along with all the other prep work i have to do to be ready i have to get all the animals out for 4 hours. it will be 87-92 here tmrw. Could i have a lg dog crate or pen set up and just bring them outside with us. they will be a week old. I could set a pen up in garage with the lamp if its cooler in there. I am looking for any advise. It has been a stressful few days. 1 died yesterday out of the 20. no pasty butt, just was the runty lil guy of the litter and was always quiet and laying down. used save a chick for past few days etc.

Hi, shartnett5! I would definitely move them outside until the exterminator says it is safe. He probably will be spraying the garage with the remainder of the house, so you wouldn't want them there. I think if you make sure they have shade and water they will be fine for a few hours.

 

[shartnett5]

thank you.

 

[shartnett5]

Are they old enough to be on the dirt and grass? Should I worry about them eating to much of it? I can place them in the brooder out there. and give a small grassy area.

 

[silarajc]

I don't think you need to worry about the dirt and grass. They will be afraid of it at first, and I don't think they can eat too much. Make sure no predators can get to them, though, if you don't stay out there with them.

 

[silarajc]

You might want to read this article on raising baby chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/

 

[shartnett5]

They loved it out there. We think its the best part of the day. They were not scared at all. Took to the bugs and grass immediately. Yesterday was chilly and we couldn't go out but they sure are asking for it. One lil lady is quite loud when I walk away. "Like dude, when is our outside time, man!: