Raising chicks outside?

[AConk81]

Holy cow that snake is scary! I've never seen any kind of snake around here except those little worm snakes. I live in a pretty residential area with no woods around, so I think we get less predators.


Well, I got the cloth, set it up, and the two older ones are out there this evening and will stay overnight. I have the 250 watt bulb on which I put on when the sun went down and at first they weren't being the brightest chicks in the world...they were standing in the middle of the run chirping because they were cold but they finally got the hint and went under the lamp and were settling in for bed when I came inside.

The ones who are under a week are still inside, I will probably leave them inside for a few more days, maybe a week more, and then add them to the bunch outside. I have to say when we had those two older ones in there this evening they looked so happy. We put a little litter box with dirt in there and a little baby perch and there's lots of grass and some cinder blocks for them to climb on and they were having a blast. So much more for them to do than in a little brooder tub!

 

[AConk81]

I believe that! I would have let all the chicken out and ran lol. When I found mine I shushed my kids out while running and grabbing baby chicks! Not my proudest moment but I'm HATE snakes! I know I know not to becoming of a life long country girl but that's my phobia!

I'd have done the same thing! Actually I don't know if I'd be heroic enough to grab my chicks...maybe if they were within reach....and then I'd run and scream for my husband and then hide in a corner while he took care of it LOL. I can be a country girl when it comes to cleaning out poopy coops and bailing out the poopy duck pool and all that kind of stuff but if I see a snake I'm out of there!

 

[blobear23]

I had the advantage he had already dined on two eggs, my favorite chick, and a golf ball so he was a little to fat to move to quickly lol

 

[AConk81]

I had the advantage he had already dined on two eggs, my favorite chick, and a golf ball so he was a little to fat to move to quickly lol

Oh no! My favorite chicks are still inside, I'm having issues with the idea of them being outside ....like ever...LOL because they're so cuddly and I have never had cuddly chicks before!

 

[AConk81]

Well, they made it through their first night! I checked them before I went to bed at 12am and they were still awake but they were in the box part and happily scratching around in all of the shavings. This morning I went out and they're laying in the grass randomly munching on some grass blades while resting. I have a feeling they stayed up most of the night last night. But, they both look bright and healthy so it was a success, last ngiht anyway! It's rainy out today but they have tarps over half the grass and then of course the wooden box area, and even with the rain it's really warm outside so I think they'll do fine

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

Well, they made it through their first night! I checked them before I went to bed at 12am and they were still awake but they were in the box part and happily scratching around in all of the shavings.  This morning I went out and they're laying in the grass randomly munching on some grass blades while resting.  I have a feeling they stayed up most of the night last night.  But, they both look bright and healthy so it was a success, last ngiht anyway! It's rainy out today but they have tarps over half the grass and then of course the wooden box area, and even with the rain it's really warm outside so I think they'll do fine

That's awesome! The first night is the toughest for sure. I am sure they are loving the freedom too.

 

[BY Chicken Lady]

Holy cow that snake is scary!  I've never seen any kind of snake around here except those little worm snakes.  I live in a pretty residential area with no woods around, so I think we get less predators.  


Well, I got the cloth, set it up, and the two older ones are out there this evening and will stay overnight.  I have the 250 watt bulb on which I put on when the sun went down and at first they weren't being the brightest chicks in the world...they were standing in the middle of the run chirping because they were cold but they finally got the hint and went under the lamp and were settling in for bed when I came inside.   

The ones who are under a week are still inside, I will probably leave them inside for a few more days, maybe a week more, and then add them to the bunch outside.  I have to say when we had those two older ones in there this evening they looked so happy.  We put a little litter box with dirt in there and a little baby perch and there's lots of grass and some cinder blocks for them to climb on and they were having a blast.  So much more for them to do than in a little brooder tub!

We live in the high desert so snakes are common. I bought a 6' heavy duty snake stick for removing them from around the house...and one baby found inside?! So far harmless, as in yea the might bite you but won't kill you, but any snake can easily eat an egg or baby chick. We have friends who live in Phoenix city area and they have coyotes that jump 6' block fences to get their chickens. Every place has its own predators, you just need to figure them out and find a way to prevent them.

 

[blobear23]

Having a disagreement with my husband. He wants to put the chicks left back outside. They really aren't happy being back inside and they keep escaping! He wants them back outside tomorrow and I guess I'll compromise and let them back out there during the day then back in at night for a week so this mommy can feel safe again then they can stay all the time again if all our security measure prove to be effective