BrindleFinch
Songster
Hello BYC! I have a question about transitioning outside.
My chicks are all 3 weeks to likely a month and a half. There are three 3 week olds and while they are smaller they are keeping up with the older chicks!
This is their second day outside full time. For now, their coop is heated overnight - daytime temps are 70s-80s.
Their coop is closed at night and open in the day, but I've run into a bit of a dilemma.
The entire part of what they have right now is their coop - they will have a separate space for when they grow bigger, so I thought it would be okay to let them into the run during the day.
They all know how to get up and down the ramp - I have watched them all go up and down. Yet, they don't want to go outside
I'm at an impasse with these guys. I don't want to give them food and water in the coop. It makes a mess, and it's not a habit I want them to get into. I provided it on night one because it was what they were used to.
I don't want to put it back inside; I want them to come out to eat or drink. I know they CAN get out and go back at will. Do I just tough love it out? Make them go out for food and water regardless?
Also, I'm a not unsure of closing them off from food and water when its nighttime if there's no food or water inside the coop. I've read <12 hours is okay to go without access for water, and they will only be cooped up for ~9 hours overnight, but they are growing critters, and I worry about a lack of nutrition.
Also, do I need to be concerned if they're staying in the coop during the day? Should I just chase them down the ramp and shut them out of it to teach them daytime is outside time, or should I just wait and see?
It's a big new scary world so I can understand them wanting to stay in what seems like safety/warmer in the coop. I just don't want to encourage bad habits, so I'm hoping for some advice on what behaviors to allow and discourage.
Thanks~
My chicks are all 3 weeks to likely a month and a half. There are three 3 week olds and while they are smaller they are keeping up with the older chicks!
This is their second day outside full time. For now, their coop is heated overnight - daytime temps are 70s-80s.
Their coop is closed at night and open in the day, but I've run into a bit of a dilemma.
The entire part of what they have right now is their coop - they will have a separate space for when they grow bigger, so I thought it would be okay to let them into the run during the day.
They all know how to get up and down the ramp - I have watched them all go up and down. Yet, they don't want to go outside
I'm at an impasse with these guys. I don't want to give them food and water in the coop. It makes a mess, and it's not a habit I want them to get into. I provided it on night one because it was what they were used to.
I don't want to put it back inside; I want them to come out to eat or drink. I know they CAN get out and go back at will. Do I just tough love it out? Make them go out for food and water regardless?
Also, I'm a not unsure of closing them off from food and water when its nighttime if there's no food or water inside the coop. I've read <12 hours is okay to go without access for water, and they will only be cooped up for ~9 hours overnight, but they are growing critters, and I worry about a lack of nutrition.
Also, do I need to be concerned if they're staying in the coop during the day? Should I just chase them down the ramp and shut them out of it to teach them daytime is outside time, or should I just wait and see?
It's a big new scary world so I can understand them wanting to stay in what seems like safety/warmer in the coop. I just don't want to encourage bad habits, so I'm hoping for some advice on what behaviors to allow and discourage.
Thanks~