Hello, I'm completely new to having chickens and eager to learn whatever I can. I have five: two barred rocks, one buff orpington, one australorp and one araucana. Ellen (the australorp) is about seven weeks old and the rest are four+ weeks. The rest treat Ellen like the "mom." I live in the inland NW of Washington. I have a few questions: They're still inside and they do have the heat lamp but mostly they roost on the box edge and the roosting pole we have in the box, not under the lamp. Should we turn the lamp off? It's been a much colder than normal spring. Can we put them into their coop yet? Should I have some sort of light out there? And lastly, do I need to clip one of their wings to prevent them from flying out of the yard? Thanks for all your insights.
How high is the fence around your yard? Maybe while their young you'd need to be worried about them getting much high, but your chickens are all heavier breeds that don't fly well, with maybe the exception of your arcauna.
from South Africa! Try the Raising Baby Chicks section on the forum, I'm not sure if they are old enough yet to be placed in the coop.
Welcome to the chicken addiction, from Renton. Congrats on getting chicks. I'd keep them together till all are fully feathered then transition to the outside. You can turn off the lamp now if your house temps are normal house temps 70 + or -. Once feathered they do not need extra heat, but the coop needs to be dry and draft free. You do not need to clip wings. Kinda depends on your situation. Now sally forth and post! Imp- Who is this Sally Forth?
and from Ohio. So glad you joined. If your night time temps are not that cold, they probably don't need the heat lamp but I would ween them from the light by starting off with a very low wattage red bulb.
