My chicks are 4 weeks old today

[Chris623]

No apology needed. "Proud papa" just want to make sure you noticed.

 

[Critter Crazed]

Awwww congratulations!

I'm always excited for my chicks' milestones too.
I started putting them out in the run for the afternoons when it's nice out a week or so ago. They are 4 weeks old now. No one has been brave enough to venture into the coop. Was I supposed to put them into the coop first? I'll put them in the coop tomorrow myself. A few consider going into the coop but then they change their minds.

Today I moved them into a bigger brooder box out in the tool shed. They were cold out in the coop, all huddled together. I wonder when I should put them in the coop for permanent... I won't get any sleep that night I do.

They are my babies!!

Lol anyways congrats and beautiful babies you have.

Oh, by the way, mine are silkies.. and I think one bantam cochin and I'm new at this too.

First batch of chicks that I hatched. I've enjoyed having them. They are just so awesome! They can be crabby sometimes but I love them lol.

 

[Chris623]

Heck, I'm no pro. I just kept them in the brooder (110 gallon water trough) for the first 3+ weeks. Then put them in the coop for 4 nights so they'd know that was safe and home. Let them out today for the first time on their own in the run. Seemed to work. Now they know where the feed and water is and know to go there for both.


I'm going to make a large feeder tomorrow and put it in their run in about a week. It seems to be a game of small steps.

 

[cmom]

I'm no pro either. I guess we just do what works for us. I put my brooder in their coop so they know it's home and a safe place from day one. For their first week I let them just get used to the coop and brooder. After the second week I take the brooder out of their coop but still have heat available for them If they need it and open their pop door. Soon I'll be building a new coop. I will put the pullets in it first and let them get used to it before I move the hens in. I know my chicks aren't as old as yours. How did you get them to go into the coop by themselves? I have to round mine up every night.

I have a $20. bet with my DH. He says tomorrow night the chicks will go in the coop by themselves, I say they won't. I can't go out till 9pm to check on them. We have a yard light that shines out to their coop.

 

[Chris623]

Quote:
Pay attention cmom and look at post #13. Actually it was just common sense.

 

[cmom]

They have feed and water in their coop. They are in and out of it all day long. They go into their coop ok but I still have to round them up at night. My hens no problems.

 

[Chris623]

You just need to set them down and read them the orders of the day. That's all that's missing.

I suspect you've never have been in the military!

 

[lemoniee]

My 2 1/2 day old chicks got taken for a wander by mummy hen this morning when i opened the door to refill the food for them! i was sooo excited I stopped what i was doing and watched them, think more for thier safety but i need'nt have worried as mummy hen kept them close to her and tried to show them how to scratt around but one of the other hens wouldnt leave the chicks alone so mummy told her off and sat down and "told" the chicks to sit under her and they sat there or a good 10mins until she walked them back inside the broody box we made her! theyr such great fun to watch! cant you tell Im a first time broody hen owner!!