Washingtonians

[Sudsy Chick]

If you mean supervised outside or inside a predator proof run, I started taking ours out at five days for 15-20 minutes at a time, and would have done sooner had it not been raining those first five days. If they had a mama hen they'd go out around a day or two old.

If you mean running around the yard with no run or supervision - beware of crows & cats.

Our chicks are four going on five weeks old, and I've been taking them outside for longer and longer periods, getting them ready to be outside full time. With the nice weather the last few days, I've left them in their outside coop/run with a heatlamp available (which they never went under) during the day, and I bring them in at night.

They will be outside full time by six weeks (assuming the weather cooperates and they are fully feathered.)

 

[LovemyBabies]

If you mean supervised outside or inside a predator proof run, I started taking ours out at five days for 15-20 minutes at a time, and would have done sooner had it not been raining those first five days. If they had a mama hen they'd go out around a day or two old.

If you mean running around the yard with no run or supervision - beware of crows & cats.

Our chicks are four going on five weeks old, and I've been taking them outside for longer and longer periods, getting them ready to be outside full time. With the nice weather the last few days, I've left them in their outside coop/run with a heatlamp available (which they never went under) during the day, and I bring them in at night.

They will be outside full time by six weeks (assuming the weather cooperates and they are fully feathered.)

We're going to have them in a protected run...... We have cats & there's other cats in the area. Plus a neighbors dog that he cant control for the life of him... so we definately dont plan on having them free range...

So far they're getting their back feathers, minus a couple are still in process of that.. but i'm guessing by 6/7 weeks they should be feathered enough to let them out for a bit... plus if can wiggle it, with their shed.. there will be a opening that they can still run in if they feel threatened..

I was wondering if 6/7 weeks works for Motherless babies...

Thank You for the reply =)

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

CL: These are for you. Wanted to let you know what harsh conditions I have put your baby turkey's in. Oh, does not look like WE will be doing any butchuring this fall. We may sell 1 or two and then next year I will have to "hide" some so that no one gets attached and then we can butchur. OH...paypal is on its way.

 

[LovemyBabies]

CL: These are for you. Wanted to let you know what harsh conditions I have put your baby turkey's in. Oh, does not look like WE will be doing any butchuring this fall. We may sell 1 or two and then next year I will have to "hide" some so that no one gets attached and then we can butchur. OH...paypal is on its way.

Hahahahah -- looks like when I sit with our bunch... they get all lined up or get close to me & snuggle... & yes someone looks a lil attached in those photos --

 

[FirewifeJess]

If you mean supervised outside or inside a predator proof run, I started taking ours out at five days for 15-20 minutes at a time, and would have done sooner had it not been raining those first five days. If they had a mama hen they'd go out around a day or two old.

If you mean running around the yard with no run or supervision - beware of crows & cats.

Our chicks are four going on five weeks old, and I've been taking them outside for longer and longer periods, getting them ready to be outside full time. With the nice weather the last few days, I've left them in their outside coop/run with a heatlamp available (which they never went under) during the day, and I bring them in at night.

They will be outside full time by six weeks (assuming the weather cooperates and they are fully feathered.)

Our girls are 5 and 6 weeks today (majority 6 weeks) and they have been out every day this week! They are almost fully feathered (I think? I don't know chickens that well obviously, they're my first) and yesterday spent from 1pm-5:45pm outside. They were more than ready to go back inside at that time though, I think it was a bit long for them. I am still using our light every night and about half the day, but I'm decreasing that daily. I think by the time they're 9-10 weeks old they'll be fully off a light with our current weather.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote: CL: I am still doing this. They seem to be eating on their own...but should I still be doing this? it is fun to do anyway even if I don't need to.

 

[LovemyBabies]

Our girls are 5 and 6 weeks today (majority 6 weeks) and they have been out every day this week! They are almost fully feathered (I think? I don't know chickens that well obviously, they're my first) and yesterday spent from 1pm-5:45pm outside. They were more than ready to go back inside at that time though, I think it was a bit long for them. I am still using our light every night and about half the day, but I'm decreasing that daily. I think by the time they're 9-10 weeks old they'll be fully off a light with our current weather.

So far I've been raising our lamps.. since I put the Frizzles out with them... since they are a week behind our others... I'm leaving the lamp at the level a little longer, so not such a shock to them.
Gets a tad nippy in there, but they have their box that has the hanging lamp above & then another heat lamp that is mainly used for Light, but gives off a tiny bit of warmth in the other portion of the shed...

I've noticed the bigger bunch tend to sleep outside the box more so, than in...

So it seems they are adjusting themselves really... occasionally they'll all go in their House (box), but generally they stay at the little door opening or out more so - even when it's a tad nippy... I leave the lamps on all nite, since even with the lamps its chilly. They dont seem to mind it tho & everyone seems healthy

I'll be lifting the lamp up this week, since I skipped last week cuz of the Frizzles being added... it averages bout 60-70 in their house.

 

[mikeyb]

To all of you who go to the Scottish games/events please check out the couple that has the white trailer that sells the Meat Pies.
They're Larry and Fran and are my friends. Stop and say hello and tellum that Mikeyb sent you.
They are very good people and helped me through a very tough time in my life. The best thing is, they don't even know how much they helped me.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Well eldest son just got home. Has spent the last few hours with the Navy recruiter for the third or fourth time. Eldest son is now officially signed up for Navy. Goes to MEPS the 21st and 22nd....make sure he can "join". There - after his physical - he gets to pick his "job" and sign up for boot camp. I think this will be good for him. Big step.

 

[CailetTempest]

Ok here is a quick question for you all about washing eggs. Hubby and I have a little disagreement over this... He argues that eggs need to be washed before putting in the fridge otherwise they will keep growing inside the egg and then there will be blood spots on the yolk. I say putting them in the fridge stops all growth and that the eggs already had blood spots on them from when the egg developed in the chicken.

I grew up where we didn't wash the eggs at all unless they were really dirty... Mom never washed them except for that. And she cooked them all the time straight from the shell without washing the shell. Help???

We do agree on not washing them if they are to go into the incubator.

Any thoughts on this subject? Anyone at all?