Sensitive little feet

[Paddlefoot]

So I’ve got a question. My older batch of chickets are ready for the coop, but the run is still under construction so they’re stuck coming back inside at night. We’ve had an unusual amount of rain lately, and while I don’t put them out in the rain, what’s the word on letting them roam in less than dry conditions?

They come in every night. And by in, I mean my laundry room where those 10 week old darlings think I’m mistreating them if I wake up any time after 7am or it’s raining. Basically... they need space (as do I) but I worry about the mud and their growing little feet. Why are their feet so cute?

 

[Paddlefoot]

Also, how old are they when they can go outside at night?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Wait, so the coop is done, just not the run? Why not just put them in the coop at night (and day)? What are your temps right now at night?

what’s the word on letting them roam in less than dry conditions?

Depends on how "less than dry" it is - do you have photos to show how muddy/wet it is?

Roughly 3 week old chicks playing around in the run after a heavy night of rain - the litter was dry enough but puddles all through the grassy area behind them:

 

[Paddlefoot]

Yes, the coop is done, but I feel bad about it being so cramped with them in it and not being able to roam...can you tell I’m new at this?

Temps at night are all over the place from high 40s to mid/high 50s. (It’s San Diego after all.) we have a lot of grass but a fair amount of mud and puddles, too.

I’ll take pics tomorrow!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your temps are fine for them being outside at this age. The chicks in the photo above were living outside without heat at 4 weeks old, similar temps as yours.

I am concerned about this part though: "I feel bad about it being so cramped with them in it and not being able to roam..." Is the coop that small that they can't be in it over night? That's pretty much what the coop is for...

 

[Paddlefoot]

Oh, no, the coop isn’t that small, but I wanted stronger hardware around it (ie the run) so nothing could break in at night. I’ve read so much about predators that I’m slightly paranoid. The coop is really nice, but we’re building the run to surround it for extra protection.
Maybe it’s overkill?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is that the coop or the run? Or are you doing an open air combo type set up?

As long as the coop itself is as predator proof as you can make it, and closed up at night, the chicks would be fine in there at night. If there's enough space inside for them to roam around a bit, they can stay in during the day too, as they're still smaller than adults and will take up less space during this time.