Moving out

[Alyssandra]

Well my chicks are now 6 1/2 weeks old (on friday) and there coop is pretty much done. We have to go camping this weekend leaving friday afternoon and coming home sunday early afternoon. I will be able to run home saturday to change water and check food....Should I put them out there thursday just to make sure all is well...are they going to be ok with just one water change a day? The weather is supposed to be sunny highs of 74 lows of 50.... I have heard I should leave them in the coop a few day's before you let them out in the run this would proabably be a good opertunity for that but I stilll feel bad locking them in for 3-4 days. Any extra advice?

 

[debilorrah]

If it is still 50 at night they will need a lamp - is there anyone near by that can come shut them up for the night?

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Don't feel bad. They are going to love the coop if it's a lot bigger than their brooder.

I moved mine out to the coop when they were 6 wks old and they loved it. I moved their stock tank brooder out with them and they chose to sleep in that for another month over the roosts.

I didn't get their run done for another two weeks and they really didn't know any different because they were so happy to be in a 12 x 12' coop after being in a 169 gal stock tank.

When they did get to go out in the completed run, they weren't affraid to go out or go back in on their own when it got dark.

I would recommend getting larger feeder and waterer to hang so they don't knock that over and go without water. Plus it stays so clean. I have a lid on my feed, so never have to clean that, just add new. And the water I change every other day because they get food in it when they eat and then go drink. (I keep a water in the run that I change daily).

Aren't you just LOVING the weather we're having.

 

[Alyssandra]

I am deffinatly loving the weather! So 50 is to cold for them to go out in? They are all feathered and there coop is draft free unless I leave the window open. If that's the case then they are going to be in the house till august! hubby is picking up the larger waterer and feeder to hang tonight.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

How many chicks do you have? Are you able to put their brooder out in the coop with them so they can snuggle down in it to stay warm?

 

[Alyssandra]

I have 4 chicks.. I could put there brooder in there but they usually jump out and roost on the edge of the box instead of inside it.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
During the day they will be fine. I would try it tonight and see if they huddle to closely and peep alot - that means they are cold.

 

[zippy11455]

If they are feathered out and can stay dry they will be fine. Mine are the same age and it's gotten down to the high 40's out and they were fine with no brooder light. They greet me in the morning and say, "Where the food, we're hungry!" As long as you can hang the feeder and waterer so they can't tip them over or get them dirty, and neither runs out, they will be fine. Once they have feathers mine seem to be bothered more by overheating than being too cold. They stand around panting if they can't get out of the sun. I learned I have to have shade on the end of their chicken tractor or they are too hot when the temp hits 80F.

 

[Alyssandra]

I will put them out there tomorrow night and see how they react...if they handle it well then I will leave them if not I will bring them back in