Hi everyone!
I brought home my new girls 4 days ago! I'm in LOVE!! They are just so cute and my kids are over the moon about them.
We got three 3 week old red star hens. We named them Flower, Lou Lou, and Agnes.
I decided to get the chicks for eggs in the spring, not to mention how I read they make great pets, and well... my gardening skills are lacking. I don't have the best green thumb so I'm hoping they will help my organic vegetable garden explode!
I knew I always wanted chickens but OMG I had no idea I would love them THIS MUCH!! I can't stop checking on them! I found myself waking up at 2 AM or so and feeling compelled to get out of bed and go see them!
So we are keeping them out in our shed in a large wire dog crate. I have the sides lined with cardboard boxes to keep the heat in and any drafts out. I also put a towel over side (over the top) to also help keep the heat in. The temp has been pretty consistent at about 80 degrees. For the first few days they have been fine and seemed really happy in there. But last night it got really, really cold out. Each time I went in they were all huddled together under the lamp on their perch. I'm not sure of the exact temps but it had to be maybe 20s-30s. We are in Massachussets.
Anyway, I'm kind of freaking out! I'm super worried about them! How worried should I be about the heat and temp at 3-4 weeks? I know I'm supposed lower the temp each week but should I still be doing that if they seem cold? Should the plan be to wean them off of the heat or make sure and keep them warm?
During the days it's been high 50's and low 60's. Mostly sunny but yesterday got really rainy and cloudy so in came the cold. I did leave a space heater going for a lil while but that thing heats up the shed TOO MUCH, so I don't like to leave it on.
Also, is it OK to let them roam around outside in the day in this kind of weather? It's been semi warm but there's definitely a chill to the air and breeze.
Am I completely freaking out and over thinking this?? I'm sooooo afraid of something happening to them! I love them so much.
Thanks in advance!
Delilah
P.S. Here's the girls!
I brought home my new girls 4 days ago! I'm in LOVE!! They are just so cute and my kids are over the moon about them.
We got three 3 week old red star hens. We named them Flower, Lou Lou, and Agnes.
I decided to get the chicks for eggs in the spring, not to mention how I read they make great pets, and well... my gardening skills are lacking. I don't have the best green thumb so I'm hoping they will help my organic vegetable garden explode!
I knew I always wanted chickens but OMG I had no idea I would love them THIS MUCH!! I can't stop checking on them! I found myself waking up at 2 AM or so and feeling compelled to get out of bed and go see them!
So we are keeping them out in our shed in a large wire dog crate. I have the sides lined with cardboard boxes to keep the heat in and any drafts out. I also put a towel over side (over the top) to also help keep the heat in. The temp has been pretty consistent at about 80 degrees. For the first few days they have been fine and seemed really happy in there. But last night it got really, really cold out. Each time I went in they were all huddled together under the lamp on their perch. I'm not sure of the exact temps but it had to be maybe 20s-30s. We are in Massachussets.
Anyway, I'm kind of freaking out! I'm super worried about them! How worried should I be about the heat and temp at 3-4 weeks? I know I'm supposed lower the temp each week but should I still be doing that if they seem cold? Should the plan be to wean them off of the heat or make sure and keep them warm?
During the days it's been high 50's and low 60's. Mostly sunny but yesterday got really rainy and cloudy so in came the cold. I did leave a space heater going for a lil while but that thing heats up the shed TOO MUCH, so I don't like to leave it on.
Also, is it OK to let them roam around outside in the day in this kind of weather? It's been semi warm but there's definitely a chill to the air and breeze.
Am I completely freaking out and over thinking this?? I'm sooooo afraid of something happening to them! I love them so much.
Thanks in advance!
Delilah
P.S. Here's the girls!