New chicks

[1country]

I have some eggs that are going to hatch this coming weekend and I was wondering is it safe to put the chicks out side at eight weeks old . I have afully enclosed coop but the walls and roof are metal . I'm going to put foam boards up this weekend .

 

[cmom]

Please excuse my ignorance but what is stir foam boards?

 

[stephanie1992]

i think its styrofoam

 

[Chinchilla2]

Quote:
Once they become fully feathered, you should have no problems with putting them in a coop. Depending upon your location, you may need to come up with a way to provide a little additional heat but that becomes a personal preference thing. In addition, the "heat source" may also represent a fire hazard, resulting in the loss of both coop and birds.

Be aware that chickens will eat the styrofoam. If you use styrofoam panels to insulate your coop, you will have to cover it with something they cannot tear through. The backing on the styrofoam insulation panels is NOT sufficient enough to deter them. Use cheap wooden panels, strips of cardboard, even old feed bags if you have to as a way to prevent them from getting at the styrofoam. Unless you do a true paneling job, keep an eyeball on it since the slightest little tear that allows them access to the foam will become a big gaping hole in no time.