Spring 2017 first timers post!

[rainee63]

I have more questions now that my babies are bigger. Seems like I have a little rooster who wants to fight with everybody else. Or maybe just the other roosters? They're only maybe 4 weeks old and I'm not sure how to sex them except that the one really aggressive one picks two other certain chicks to fight with. Tiny little cock fights. Omg! Can I pull him out and keep him separate? Does he need company? Looks like 3 out of 6 from tractor supply are male :/
Also, how warm should it be before I give them some outdoor time? We're in the 80s now. I took the bunny out for a while yesterday but I wasn't sure if it was to early for the chicks. 6 are 4 week old buff orpingtons and the other 5 are 2 week old easter eggers.

 

[LandersLittles]

@rainee63 I have 4 that are going to be 4 weeks on Wednesday, and 2 that will be three weeks on Wednesday... We've been taking all of them out during the afternoons when we've been in the 70's (so for the past week). There is a small red bulb light on the enclosed part of the coop in case they get chilled, but all six of them have been happy normal chicks when they go outside... scratching, pecking, flying, etc. I would think is it defiantly warm enough for your flock!

 

[Merrymouse]

Are you worried that all the handling of the chicks may stunt their feather growth?  I didn't think so.

.
Not worried

I've only actually held two chicks twice to clean pasty butt and the others the one time that we took the pictures. My kids were driving me crazy to hold the chicks. So we took quick pictures and put them back. They are settled in nicely and seem quite happy. The feathers are growing like crazy! Too fast for my liking. I love the fluffy chicks.

 

[bajabirdbrain]

What lovely babies you have! So glad to see the sun shinning in your photos!

 

[bajabirdbrain]

One week from today, GULP! Here is a short update of our coop/run project.

First pic is BB laying out perimeter foundation.
Second pic is the start of the coop.
3rd pic is the interior of the coop with temp location of nesting box and first roost.
4th is painting the exterior. Still have man door, chick door, windows, and stairs to go.
Final chores is to final the run fencing, put roofing over run for sun/rain, and winged predator protection. Ramps, perches, and who knows what else we have forgotten.

 

[ImportTheBest]

One week from today, GULP! Here is a short update of our coop/run project. First pic is BB laying out perimeter foundation. Second pic is the start of the coop. 3rd pic is the interior of the coop with temp location of nesting box and first roost. 4th is painting the exterior. Still have man door, chick door, windows, and stairs to go. Final chores is to final the run fencing, put roofing over run for sun/rain, and winged predator protection. Ramps, perches, and who knows what else we have forgotten.:cd

That looks awesome!

 

[ImportTheBest]

Our current setup to accommodate the fast growing meaties and multi-size layers! Two MHP and just a 24w regular bulb for added light in a dimly lit garage during waking hours.

Eta the water was clean before I turned around to pick up my phone to take a photo, I saw it as soon as I took the photo, and it was cleaned right afterwards

 

[Lamaremybabies]

With that requirement of 6 I'm guessing you're in Texas too?

If you're doing math between the coop and run, I wouldn't add them together before dividing. Four sq ft per bird in the coop is the max. Depending upon your birds you may not need that much room. I have ordered the slightly larger coop from tractor supply. It supposedly holds 15 birds but I'm only planning to keep 10 in there. One of the things to focus on is having about a foot or so of roosting bar for each bird. If you have a large run, like you do, having a little less space in the coop itself shouldn't be a huge problem. Good luck!!

Yeah, the coop when I originally bought it was for 6-8 birds and because they're only in there when laying eggs or at night there shouldn't be a problem I'm thinking. I have three roosts in their now, each is 3' long and my current chickens they just turned a year old all like to sleep on one perch together. Haha it looks ridiculous in my opinion but hey, whatever they like.

 

[fangedknight]

One week from today, GULP! Here is a short update of our coop/run project. First pic is BB laying out perimeter foundation. Second pic is the start of the coop. 3rd pic is the interior of the coop with temp location of nesting box and first roost. 4th is painting the exterior. Still have man door, chick door, windows, and stairs to go. Final chores is to final the run fencing, put roofing over run for sun/rain, and winged predator protection. Ramps, perches, and who knows what else we have forgotten.:cd

That looks fantastic! I love the little run!

 

[AlynaD]

just wondering what kind of chick is the one thats in the long feeder by itself... the black one with the white tips because it looks like one of mine and I have no idea what it is