Rooster Questions

[Mrs. K]

We tend to think "all or nothing" Just an idea, if you had not already thought of it. You can put your chicks outside for a couple of hours, increasing it over a couple of days, returning them to a building for night.

The heat plate made me think of it. I put a dog carrier for a day time shelter with a warm wool hen for them to warm up in. As dark came in, they were all in the crate under the wool hen for me. I just picked the crate up and put it in the chicken house.

And best of all, once they were integrated in the run, I went down one night, and they were all in the coop. Worked slick.

Mrs K

 

[Enchanted1s]

I have been thinking of gradually putting them out - but it is not getting very warm during the day. I have questions - I would feel terrible if I made them sick or worse...

- How do I know when they are 'fully feathered'?
- Once they are fully feathered - how cold is too cold?

I don't think Rudy is going to open the babies with open wings - thus the 2nd coop. I have lots of titanium that has replaced a good portion of my spine. If it's not above 40 or so - I cannot work outside. So, I don't know how long it is going to take me to build this new coop. I am thinking of putting something temporary together right outside the back door. The corner would have the wind blocked completely on two sides. But this is a LONG way from where the coop is. I will be building the new coop right beside the existing one. Putting the babies in this corner will do nothing for integration into the flock. I could put them in the existing shelter in something - but I wouldn't even hear them cry...
- The answer to those question will direct other questions, but I am going to go start the new coop thread so I can attempt to keep all this knowledge somewhat organized.

Thanks Again Everyone.

 

[cavemanrich]

Get a dog cage and set it inside your coop area. The chickens will be able to see each other.
How old are your chicks??? They feather out from 4 to 6 weeks. You are not in a deep freeze area, so there is an advantage for you.

 

[Enchanted1s]

[QUOTE="cavemanrich, post: 19327070, member: 272775"
How old are your chicks??? They feather out from 4 to 6 weeks. You are not in a deep freeze area, so there is an advantage for you.[/QUOTE]

The babies (3 of them) will be 4 weeks old Tuesday. True, I am out of the deep freeze areas and in the desert - but it has not been above freezing at night for weeks and that may not change for several more weeks. This weeks we have had highs as high as 60 but the average is closer to 45-50 for a high. Once the sun goes down, it gets cold quick and remains below freezing until mid-late morning.

Our first attempt with baby chicks - so far, so good . I would post new pics of the babies, but they are in that awkward growing stage where they are so ugly they are cute in their latest pics. I take new pics of them weekly, maybe their 4 week pics will turn out better LOL.

 

[Mrs. K]

Just put them outside for half an hour, then a little longer. They need some fresh air. If you just left them out there, there could be a problem health wise, but chicks under a broody, go out from under her, explore and then run back for a warm up, then go back out again. If you still have a heat lamp on them, turn it off or raise it up so that it is cooler.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Just put them outside for half an hour, then a little longer. They need some fresh air. If you just left them out there, there could be a problem health wise, but chicks under a broody, go out from under her, explore and then run back for a warm up, then go back out again. If you still have a heat lamp on them, turn it off or raise it up so that it is cooler.

I have been raising the heat plate a bit each week (twice this week). I noticed Gracey is not going under much now. I was wondering if they might not be time to get rid of the heat? I am guessing very soon. Today, it is supposed to get up to 60 degrees. I am thinking today might be a great day for them to see the great outdoors!

 

[Enchanted1s]

I took them outside to meet the flock today! Rudy didn't even come look! The others did.

 

[Mrs. K]

keep up with that if you can, leaving them penned, but where the other chickens can get a look at them. I think in the original post, the rooster came from another flock, if so, he might be used to chicks.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Speaking of where he came from... I don't know where the neighbor bought him - he came home with a new flock after his dogs killed the first flock. He had Rudy and another - the two fought, that is why he threw Rudy over to us and Tootie (she watched all of her old flock be massacred). NOW, Rudy and the other rooster spend a lot of time running back and forth at the shared fence, ?talking? to each other?? Rudy goes straight to the fence to see Fancy Pants (thats what I call the other rooster) and start - doing what ever they do! What are they doing??

 

[cavemanrich]

NOW, Rudy and the other rooster spend a lot of time running back and forth at the shared fence, ?talking? to each other?? Rudy goes straight to the fence to see Fancy Pants (thats what I call the other rooster) and start - doing what ever they do! What are they doing??

Sizing each other to fight.