*crawls back home from work shocked she survived* We survived it! Tomorrow is supposed to be a chilly 100. Thank goodness! That whole 106 at Winlock Highschool by 12:35 was a bit ridiculous.
Gwen - A few thoughts for you. I don't have any kids, but I have witnessed the phenomenon regarding first children (silver spoons, medication when they cough, only the best name brand products, top of the line everything, hospital visits when body temps hit 97 degs)... then the second kid comes along and the parents just make sure they aren't out in the yard eating the dog leavings - handmedowns are perfectly fine, generic everything, and home remedies galore. I think chickens are a lot like this. We want everything perfect, when in reality the toddlers are just as happy playing in bell bottoms out in the mud rather than in oshkosh with designer toys inside germfree!
You're chicks will be fine outside on these warm evenings. They don't have feathers everywhere, and they aren't little adults yet so they still need some heat, but if they can pile together and have some nice warm hay to bed down in, they'll be fine. You truly made me smile with all your fears. You're going to be a great chicken mother. If you think its really too cold, run an extension cord and give them a little heat from a lamp, but I honestly think they will be fine if they aren't in a draft and can pile up in some warm hay.
Yes, there are hawks around - and if you free range full time, you'll get some losses more than likely. You should always cover your run, even if its just with simple bird netting. If you want to let your birds free range, sit out with them or plan for some loss. I'd hate to plan for loss, so when mine are out, I'm out in the yard with them (wifi reaches out there!! yea!!!). Otherwise they are snuggled secure in their coups.
You're cat will be picked on horribly by the adult chickens, and even the teenagers who are full of themselves and out to have something to prove. Feel bad for him
Mine chases my huge tomcat. And if your mouser is thin, you might want to worm him... when they are outdoors and eating mice, they get tapeworms all the time from those silly mice.
Rats. Ick. I agree with Iron. Drown them, don't put poison out. Your cat will be in danger and so will everything else around. I have to check water buckets each and every day in this weather for floating mice. They crawl up, get in, and drown when they can't get out of the smooth sides. I water my horses in those large garden tubs with the rope handles. They don't really even need bait in this weather, just water! So bucket trap like its been suggested, and remove all the other sources of water.
Stay cool everyone... I think we got through the worst of it.
EDIT: Wrote this last night but didn't remember to hit post until this morning! I passed out on the couch in front of the AC *blush*
I need help for my addiction!!
