My chicks went out into the coop today.

[danceswithronin]

It's their first day being left unattended outdoors at four and six weeks old. I just shut them into the coop since it has a small attached and enclosed run because I want to do a walk-around on the outer run fence and make sure there are no places they can squeeze through and escape into the yard. They were happily exploring the coop ladder when I left for work.

The wrought iron fence is pretty secure and reinforced with one-inch square netting all the way around, but the floor of the run is dug out pretty low by the hens in some places so I want to go around and refill the whole run with mulch and straw until it's 1/2 foot above the bottom of the fence again. I also want to mulch the whole outer border of the fence to discourage any digging, and add a hardware cloth skirt for added protection.

Rationally I know they'll be fine because they're plenty big and feathered out enough to go into the coop, and I have done this before with my previous flock, but I am still nervous for them anyway.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Those first few days are always scary for both chicks and owners no matter how many times you do it.

 

[Ryback530]

Let us know how they do. Mine are going to go out next weekend if I can get the coop painted by then. First time for me so I get the nervous/scary part completely!

 

[danceswithronin]

Let us know how they do. Mine are going to go out next weekend if I can get the coop painted by then. First time for me so I get the nervous/scary part completely!

They did great! They were visibly happy chilling in the coop's attached run, when I got off work, and when I let them out into the main run for some supervised ranging they were ecstatic. The dominant pullet in the group is very curious so they all just followed her from one end of the run to the other. They stuck very close together. I'm really happy they seem to get along so well.

My dad has been watching out for them today too and gave them several big handfuls of fresh crabgrass too so they loved that.

 

[gunslinger33]

I live in the SE too. My concern with small chicks is snakes. Make sure your coop / run is snake proof enough that a snake large enough to eat them can't get to them. We have been in the mid to upper 80's so they are probably most active late mornings and early evenings. A big rate snake can eat a 6 week lg fowl chick and probably a 10- 12 week bantam chick. I use hardware cloth on all my doors and window openings. My coop runs are welded wire , which offers no snake protection.

 

[aart]

but the floor of the run is dug out pretty low by the hens in some places so I want to go around and refill the whole run with mulch and straw until it's 1/2 foot above the bottom of the fence again.

I put 2x8 boards and logs all along the inside of run to keep them from digging under the outer apron. Those stinkers can dig!!

I also want to mulch the whole outer border of the fence to discourage any digging, and add a hardware cloth skirt for added protection.

Add the skirt, then the mulch.
I dump fresh grass clippings on aprons to keep other stuff from growing up close to run wall, then they can grab bits thru to wall mesh.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[rosemarythyme]

I put 2x8 boards and logs all along the inside of run to keep them from digging under the outer apron.

I've started doing that in spots where they were really getting dig happy along the edge. I thought I was clever for figuring out to do that but should've known I wasn't the only one. Plus it's a good way to "recycle" fallen branches that are too big to throw in county compost.

 

[aart]

I've started doing that in spots where they were really getting dig happy along the edge. I thought I was clever for figuring out to do that but should've known I wasn't the only one. Plus it's a good way to "recycle" fallen branches that are too big to throw in county compost.

Luckily I had a bunch of old deck framing stashed.....also used some logs from garden bed terracing....did it after they dug a good foot out under the apron. SMH.