Outside for 1 week olds?

[tomato lady]

I am almost finished with my chicken yard and my older chicks are eager to get outside. My problem is that I have ages 4 or 5 weeks to 1 week. (just can't stop buying chicks.) My six little ones run all over the coop on warm days and when I cut the door to the great outside I am sure they will try to follow the older chicks. Is that ok as long as it is warm out? How warm is warm enough? I live in Western Washington -- beautiful but not tropic!

I might have pics of the little girls later today.

I used my granddaughter's camera and she promised to put my pics on a disc for me. However, may not have time to put them up till late because I am babysitting for my great grandkids today. Guess I won't get that chicken yard done today.

And about that chicken yard -- you really should dig down a foot?! I am an old woman, grandmother of 11 and greatgrandmother of 4. Any options less labor intensive?

 

[Judy]

With my vast experience -- just kidding -- I am a firm believer that they will go where it is warm when they need to, and will do fine running around outside for a while. I had a Mama raise a lone chick in the winter -- the chick was outdoors in the 40's at a week or so. The chick had Mama's warm wing available when she felt the need, and made use of it, but did lots of foraging too.

Ideal is to dig down a foot then dig out a foot and put a barrier both ways. Too much work for this old woman, even with helpers! How about an electric fence? I was surprised that they are really not that expensive, especially if you have power available. You can run 3 or 4 strands and put the lowest just a few inches off the ground. Roundup makes short work of keeping weeds off the fence. It may not be predator proof, but then I am not sure anything really is, short of a bomb shelter, and most diggers should get their noses nipped with the low wire. I have about a 75'x75' yard and don't think I spent $100 on the wire, charger and insulators. A knowledgeable employee at the farm/feed store would be a big help; there are lots of options in electric fencing.

I have some free ranging hens from last year, too. Lost 16 of 20 to predators, before we got the last two dogs. Haven't lost any in about 4 or 5 months now. And all 4 dogs were easy to train to leave the hens alone. Just a thought. Of course not all dogs can be trusted, by a long shot.