San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[wwmicasa1]

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Yes, & those darling little "rats with tails" called Squirrels. Be "VERY" careful if you have baby chicks this Spring. They will eat them in a heartbeat. I witnessed two, week old chicks being pulled down into the tunnel the squirrels had made in the run. Unfortunately I was not able to save them.

Squirrels are also omnivores.......

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Wow, roadrunners and squirrels?? I never would have guessed.

 

[Sweet Violet]

golly and I thought if I could protect against hawks and coyotes I would be home free!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Thank god all our squirrels eat are the chicken pellets!!!

 

[cracking up]

I'm going to try to make it to the meet-up for a little while. My husband is having shoulder surgery on Friday and he thinks he will be ok by himself for a while. If I come I'll bring lemon bars again.

 

[luvanimals2]

I hope your husband has a successful surgery and a fast recovery.

I was just thinking about your lemon bars the other day and hoping

and wishing that you would come with them again. I

them.

Nancy


Quote:

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Hey Neighbors, opinions wanted...

I'm looking at the forecast for the week, and it looks like the night time temps are going to be relatively warm for the week- upper 40's to 50 in my area. We just finished a section of our new coop, and I am wanting to move my 4-1/2 month old LF pullets outside permanently. I have a draft free, cozy cabin for them to roost/sleep in, surrounded by a screened house. Now this "cabin" I'm describing is small, 2'x3'. I designed it for 2 bantams, not my LF, so three LF pullets will definitely be cozy in there. These three young ladies have been housed indoors at this point, but they are in dire need of some different accommodations.

What do you think? Will they be okay out there? or do I need to still bring them in at night? Breeds are Orpington, Delaware, Wyandotte

 

[flower]

Sunny California, hummm, what I think is that you could have put them outside as soon as they feathered out. Certainly by now they are ready. The temperature here in RC should be about the same and here is what I do. When they are chicks and the temps are warm enough say above 40 and not windy, I put two week old chicks during sunny warm times and bring them in at night. There is a light in the brooder so they can gather under under it as the temperature does go down night. And I keep introducing them to outside environment until the time seems right. Remember they are outside birds. Of course brooder babies need a mama which is the light.
I do not know about the security however. In our area there are plenty of cats on patrol at night and they put down the doves.
I do see one possible problem with your coop though ! Whenever I read instructions on building coops I see "draft free" and need for "air circulation" or vents to allow the gasses "methane" to escape. I allow quite a bit of vent possibility due to the heat in the summers. Mary

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Thanks Flower, I know I should have put them out sooner, but I didn't plan ahead, and didn't have a secondary "grow out" pen when I got them. Poor planning, absolutely. I was overtaken by chicken math.

This newest enclosure is only temporary for the LF, as I keep trying to assimilate the younger girls into my older flock, and then into the bigger coop by spring.

The cabin isn't sealed tight. I just set up the roost so that when a breeze comes through the door it doesn't blow right onto the roost. The roof has hinges to lift up for more ventilation in the summer months. I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them.

So that means I can move the teenagers out, right?

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

SunnyCalifornia, as beautiful as it's been I don't think you have any worries. Put 'em out