Screened Porch and Hawks

[mrybells]

I am thinking about moving my chicks from the garage to the screened porch when they are 3 weeks old. We have some serious hawk action in the backyard. Do I have to worry about hawks coming through the screen to get to the chicks?

I also wanted to bring them out for some supervised free ranging in the yard. Should i make an enclosure for them (6 chicks) which they can free range and I can sit with them or can i just sit in the yard with them and let them explore. Not only worried about hawks but also making sure I am not going crazy trying to gather 6 baby chicks. From the time i spend with them in the garage I feel like they all stay pretty close together and they don't venture too far from me but outside could be whole different story. Thanks!

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

How are you going to contain them on your screen porch? Dog crate or run free? Are they going to spend the night on the screened porch? I don't think a hawk will break thru the screen, but a raccoon will slice through it in a flash. I had 2 chicks that I took in the yard from1 week of age for short periods of time. I stayed right there with them though and 1 day a lovely black racer (snake) suddenly appeared now I don't know if it was after the chicks or was just simply crossing paths... You need to watch them like a hawk & be able to gather them up quickly if need be. They will love being outside! Mine did nothing but dirt bathe for their first several outdoor adventures.

 

[mrybells]

How are you going to contain them on your screen porch? Dog crate or run free? Are they going to spend the night on the screened porch? I don't think a hawk will break thru the screen, but a raccoon will slice through it in a flash. I had 2 chicks that I took in the yard from1 week of age for short periods of time. I stayed right there with them though and 1 day a lovely black racer (snake) suddenly appeared now I don't know if it was after the chicks or was just simply crossing paths... You need to watch them like a hawk & be able to gather them up quickly if need be. They will love being outside! Mine did nothing but dirt bathe for their first several outdoor adventures.

I would keep them in a dog crate on the porch. They are in the windowless garage so I would love for them to actually have the natural sunrise and sunset. 2 at a time sounds like a good idea. I can handle that and can't wait to see them doing their thing!

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

I wouldn't leave them overnight on a screened porch if you have coons in the area. I have a screened porch that has sliding windows I close up at night. I only have 3 chickens & they each have their own dog crate. During the day I let them free range. My biggest predator threats are raccoons, snakes & aerial preds. Mine stayed very close to the house in the beginning, but were also very skittish to catch.