New owner of baby Leghorn chicks

[tec718]

I purchased 6 baby leghorn chicks from tractor supply. I have 2 coops already built and am in the process of building an 8 x 20 run for them to get around. Currently, I have them outside, in a coop, with blankets covering the coop and a heat lamp keeping them warm. They are now 21 days old, mostly feathered except for their heads. They are tough and handled 71 degrees at 2 days old and 68 degrees at 20 days old. I feed them the feed recommended for chicks, but I added in dried mealworms and they go crazy over them. I live in Fla, so mostly warm days, but lately getting down into the upper 50's. I spoil my pets and want to make sure they are good egg layers. Any advice anyone has would be appreciated.

 

[pibb]

That brown coop is too small for 6 grown chickens. Is that green building the other coop you mentioned?

I like your run but is that a screen door? That's not going to keep predators out. Things will also want to dig underneath it to get in.

 

[tec718]

That brown coop is too small for 6 grown chickens. Is that green building the other coop you mentioned?

I like your run but is that a screen door? That's not going to keep predators out. Things will also want to dig underneath it to get in.

I plan on placing a board under the door and blocks along the exterior of the run area. The screen door will also have chicken wire over the screen. Currently, I do not have raccoon or fox issues, maybe a rat...lol Hopefully by checking this daily I will see if critters will be trying to dig underneath. I also have dogs that will patrol the yard, no critter will dare enter....lol I have a Rottie and black mouth cur, they allow nothing in the yard...lol I worry more about them than critters....lol

 

[tec718]

That brown coop is too small for 6 grown chickens. Is that green building the other coop you mentioned?

I like your run but is that a screen door? That's not going to keep predators out. Things will also want to dig underneath it to get in.

I actually have 2 of those coops you see in the pic. Each has enough room for 3 chickens to lay eggs. I assume they will spend most of the time roosting outside, so I do need to add some roosting branches for them.

 

[tec718]

My only concern is the entryway into and out of the box. How much room does a full grown leghorn need to enter the box???

 

[aart]

I also have dogs that will patrol the yard,

Are they outside 24/7?

 

[tec718]

Yes outside on front porch. I replaced my heat lamp with a small space heater. The temps are getting down into the 50's and the heat lamp wasn't keeping the coop warm enough. The temp outside 63 and the coop is at 82. The temp will drop to 58 tonight.I have the coop covered with blankets so no breeze runs through the coop