Raising the Galaxies

[Hedgeland Farms]

March 20th
Checked on the Galaxies at 230am . All is well and quiet. All tucked in their heat cave. It is 24 degrees out. It is like the heat cave has become their coop lol.

I didn't make it home on lunch to check the Galaxies. The outside temp is 41 degrees outside. I imagine the coop is abt 50 degrees based on studying it the last few wks.


Hubby got a couple cute pics of one of the Galaxies enjoying the roosts!! This roost is probably 4 feet off the ground. I saw one on it the other day, but failed to catch a picture.

After work check. Let the Galaxies run around outside. It's is sunny, a bit breezy and 53 degrees out. Feels like 48. Coop temp is 57.

They are definetly loving the sunshine.
We introduced some scratch. I am hoping they will start to get a bit used to us, even though that really won't happen for a bit. one can hope lol. Turned heat boards off while the Galaxies played.

Let the Galaxies run for 90mins. Put them back in their coop, turned the heat boards on and watched them eat for a bit. Fresh water and I went inside bc I am chilly.

I turned the boards off for a bit to give them a rest. I must say, these things are pretty darn good. They haven't even remotely cooled off while in use. They are working great and have been this entire time. I don't know that turning them off helps anything, but it can't hurt lol

Bedtime check. Let the Galaxies run a little bit more. Coop temp is 50 degrees, outside temp is 47 degrees. Low tonight is 34.

Locked the Galaxies up for the night. I left them while they were eating but I know they will tuck in here in the next 20 min or so.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Oh yeah, the picture of the baby on the roost!!

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

March 21st.
Went out and opened the Galaxies sliding door and turned on their lights at 645am. Coop is still kinda dark even though it's light outside. Coop temp is 40 degrees
Outside temp is 34 degrees. The Galaxies try to escape now when I go in and out of the coop. They really do enjoy having the outdoor option, but I don't know that I should leave them unsupervised yet.

Let the Galaxies run around outside. Coop temp is 50 degrees. Outside temp is 48 degrees. Feels like 42.

3 of the Galaxies made it up to the roost today. It's kinda funny watching them walk around on it...they are so big, but so tiny still.

The Galaxies ran around for abt an hr. At one point I noticed they were all in the coop so I shut and locked the door. I'll let them out again later.

Found some boards to lift their food trough up a bit. They keep kicking shavings into them...

I will admit though. The cleaning side of brooding outdoors in a big space is nothing compared to when I brooded indoors. I've laid new shavings out twice and I don't have to clean their water or troughs nearly as much from shavings and poo bc there is more space.

Coop temp is 51 outside temp is 47 with a bit of a sprinkle happening.


Went out to check the Galaxies. They are all pretty much hanging out lol. Can't do much outside bc its raining. Outside temp is 42. I sat in their coop with them for abt 30 min.

Night check. Coop temp is 49, outside temp is 41, low tonight is 40. Most of the Galaxies are not tucked in yet, but I said good night and shut the door.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They really do enjoy having the outdoor option, but I don't know that I should leave them unsupervised ye

At this age as long as the run is fully secured, they can have the option of going in and out as they wish, especially since they know they can go in the coop to warm up or get out of the elements when needed.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

At this age as long as the run is fully secured, they can have the option of going in and out as they wish, especially since they know they can go in the coop to warm up or get out of the elements when needed.

That's great, thank you

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

March 22nd
Went out to open the sliding door for the Galaxies. Everyone was up and moving already (645) coop temp is 50 degrees. Outside temp is 45 degrees.

Went out to check on the Galaxies. Outside temp is 54 degrees, kinda windy. Coop temp is 57 degrees. Everyone is happy and excited to be outside. I left them unattended, but am watching from a window

Put their fountain waterers outside and the bucket with the nipples in their coop. Much to my surprise the Galaxies went to town learning to work them.

I went out and sat with the Galaxies in their coop. Coop temp is 60 degrees. Outside temp is 56 degrees. None of the Galaxies seem to want to enjoy the outdoors right now. They are all hanging out on the roof of their cave cleaning theirselves. Must be bath time.

Went out and opened the door again. Everyone came out to play. Coop temp is still 60. Outside temp is 56, feels like 53.

The doors have been open for abt 2.5 hrs. The Galaxies are enjoying their space. It is starting to sprinkle just a tiny bit. I tried to round them up , but they are having none of it...so i let them be.

Outside temp is still the same.

Finally wrangled all the Galaxies into the coop. Coop temp is still 60 degrees. Outside temp is 56. The weather app showes the temp going up tonight. Low for the night is 56 degrees.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

March 23rd.
Went out around 630 to take care of everybody. The Galaxies were already up and moving. I turned the light on and left the screen door wide open. They are more than welcome to have access to the run. Coop temp is 63 degrees. Outside temp is 62 degrees. Watching them from my window, I can see them out and exploring their run, they are looking pretty happy abt it too.

920am the Galaxies are in and out of the coop. It's a bit breezy out but pretty warm. Coop temp is 70 degrees. outside temp is
67 degrees, with a real feel of 67. I turned the heat boards off for a bit as no one is using them.

Rain started to fall, so everyone scurried into the coop. I shut the door for the time being. Left heat boards off.


Went out to open the coop again, now that rain has stopped. Coop temp is 70 degrees. Outside temp is 68, feels like 68.

I am looking at these guys and they are pretty well and feathered. I have decided to pull their heat source. Coop temp is 79 degrees. Outside temp is 71 degrees. The next several days are gonna be in the upper 50s and mid 60s. With night lows in the 40s except one or two nights at 36.
Dare I say, they are pretty well acclimated to the ups and downs of the weather. I'll watch closely and if there's issue, I'll put the boards back, but we are right on the verge of 4wks old and I really do feel it is time.

Side note and question. I wanna line the inside of the fence with something that'll keep them from dust bathing their way out of the bottom of the fence....any suggestions?? I bought cypress mulch to go on the run floor...but I don't know what to put against the inside of the fence??

Went out to check the Galaxies...its amazing to see them all spread out in their coop or outside. Some are resting some are playing...they've got abt 5 different little groups going on. Coop temp is 80 degrees. Outside temp is 74 degrees.

It's getting ready to rain at 520pm. I locked the Galaxies up in their coop. They are feeding like it's Thanksgiving. Coop temp is 77 degrees. Outside temp is 73 degrees.

It is done raining, so letting the Galaxies run amuck a little more. Coop temp is 69 degrees. Outside temp is 64.

Night time check. Coop is 65 degrees. Outside temp is 58 degrees. Rain has stopped. Galaxies are all sleeping in a corner of the coop. (my last set of chicks did this at first too) they had a heck of a day playing outside all day. Tomorrow is supposed to be all rain so they will remain in the coop till I get home from work

Goodnight big littles!!

*side note: midnight has some gold leakage on her shoulders. Wondering and thinking she's a he. The only other pic I could find of an Asian Black cockerel was at 2m of age, then again at 7m of age....
She resembels the colors of the 2m old, but we shall see
If he is a cockerel he and his sister will be moving to my other coop.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

You can line the inside edge of the fence with pavers to keep them from digging along the edge.

On the outside, I recommend an apron of hardware cloth to prevent digging predators if your run’s fence stops at ground level.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wanna line the inside of the fence with something that'll keep them from dust bathing their way out of the bottom of the fence....any suggestions??

If you have ample natural materials around, I use fallen branches, rocks, and a few bricks to border the inside of the run.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

You can line the inside edge of the fence with pavers to keep them from digging along the edge.

On the outside, I recommend an apron of hardware cloth to prevent digging predators if your run’s fence stops at ground level.

Thanks so much. There will be an apron, but as of now I have electric running around the bottom on the outside.

If you have ample natural materials around, I use fallen branches, rocks, and a few bricks to border the inside of the run.
View attachment 3441866

I love this idea and can not believe I didn't think of it. I am pricing @ least 100 dollars in pavers and the answer is sitting right behind the chicken chalet!!!!

Thanks!!