RUSHING THINGS IN ARIZONA

[papaclark]

I Moved my brooder outdoors into my coop a couple of days ago. The chicks have most of their feathers (I think), and they seem to love the extra space. I still put the heat lamp on at night, and that's where they return to. They go up the ramp to the hen house but seem leery to enter. If I decided to do a deep litter, would it hurt or be beneficial to use already nearly completed compost under my pine shavings? And what do I do to coax the pullets into the hen house?

 

[TwoCrows]

The best way to train chicks to return to the coop is to lock them inside for a full day or two so they know that it is a safe haven and want to go back in. They don't know to naturally use the coop, so you have to train them to feel comfortable in it. You can also coax them in with food and goodies at night as well. Eventually they get the hang of going back into the coop. I have always had good luck with the lock in method for a day or so.

As for bedding, I would stick with pine shavings. I wouldn't put compost underneath the shavings.

Make sure they are staying warm at night and if you are using a heat lamp, it is permanently attached to the wall or ceiling so it doesn't start a fire.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Oh, and welcome to BYC!

 

[papaclark]

thank you. No compost under the shavings. What about red wigglers, can I start feeding them other things besides "chick starter". Maybe some worms and greens? They are 5 weeks old.

 

[TwoCrows]

I like to wait until they are 6 weeks old before I introduce other foods, but 5 weeks is ok to start. BUT keep it down to a tiny amount a day. They are still growing and need to eat as much of their starter feed to develop properly. And when you do introduce new things to their diet, start to offer grit so they can break this roughage and harder stuff down in the gizzard. Go easy on the treats for a while and all will be well.

 

[papaclark]

again, thanks for the info. I appreciate it greatly.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - great advice from Kelsie and TwoCrows.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your new chicks! TwoCrows gave you some good advice! A great place to check out is the Learning Center, lots of good chicken keeping articles there. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center There is a nice chicken treat chart on there to give you ideas for things to try https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens

 

[drumstick diva]

They may be afraid to go into the hen house(coop) because it is dark inside(?) Sometimes a small light on timer will lure them to go inside. It would be set for dusk and maybe stay on 23-30 minutes so all the youngsters get inside.

If there is a steep ramp up into the coop that may be scaring them off too. You may need to put cross strips of wood on the ramp so it isn't slippery to them.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock