Well OK then...

[Redbirdacres]

Oh no no no friends! See that PVC pipe and hardware cloth in the bottom of the photo????? That'd ON TOP of their pen! They someone moved it and flew out and are sitting on top of it!!!

 

[SilverBirds]

Oh no no no friends! See that PVC pipe and hardware cloth in the bottom of the photo????? That'd ON TOP of their pen! They someone moved it and flew out and are sitting on top of it!!!

OHHHH. I didn't realize that they were pushing the top off! Did you look at the feather trimming charts?

 

[Redbirdacres]

OHHHH. I didn't realize that they were pushing the top off! Did you look at the feather trimming charts?

I haven't yet. Had to go in, fill up the waterer because they knocked it over, poop everywhere. Today was supposed to be relax day

 

[Aunt Angus]

Oh, they look so pleased with themselves, don't they?


My run is a big ol' walk in dog kennel. When I'm in there cleaning and whatnot, I usually just let the door shut without engaging the latch (it opens inwards). A couple of weeks ago, I came out of the coop to find half my flock had wandered out onto the property. It seems they figured out that if the can get their beaks into the crack between the door and the run, they can then get their heads through, and then push it open with their little bodies.

I blame the Naked Neck. It's ALWAYS the Naked Neck.

Look at those shifty eyes...

 

[Mrs. K]

I think they are telling you they are done with a brooder and are ready for the coop/run. They have out grown the space. I would not advise clipping wings at this stage, I would get them outside in the fresh air and sunshine and a LOT MORE SPACE.

Over crowded birds can develop very ugly behaviors, much more ugly than getting out.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I think they are telling you they are done with a brooder and are ready for the coop/run. They have out grown the space. I would not advise clipping wings at this stage, I would get them outside in the fresh air and sunshine and a LOT MORE SPACE.

Over crowded birds can develop very ugly behaviors, much more ugly than getting out.

Good observation, as always, @Mrs. K.

Just make sure their new environment can hold them! Silly escape artists...

 

[3KillerBs]

I think they are telling you they are done with a brooder and are ready for the coop/run. They have out grown the space. I would not advise clipping wings at this stage, I would get them outside in the fresh air and sunshine and a LOT MORE SPACE.

Over crowded birds can develop very ugly behaviors, much more ugly than getting out.

Agreed.

Also, a word of warning in re: wing clipping.

You MUST NOT clip feathers that are not yet fully grown in -- aka "blood feathers". They are a direct pipeline to the bird's circulatory system and will not stop bleeding until pulled out. It can be quite dangerous.

 

[Redbirdacres]

I think they are telling you they are done with a brooder and are ready for the coop/run. They have out grown the space. I would not advise clipping wings at this stage, I would get them outside in the fresh air and sunshine and a LOT MORE SPACE.

Over crowded birds can develop very ugly behaviors, much more ugly than getting out.

Yes I know they're running out of space but weather and work schedules have not aligned unfortunately. As mentioned in the original post, the tractor will be built this week.

 

[Mrs. K]

I put mine out much earlier, between 2-3 weeks. We had a rain/snow storm yesterday and they came through just fine without a heat lamp.

 

[Redbirdacres]

I put mine out much earlier, between 2-3 weeks. We had a rain/snow storm yesterday and they came through just fine without a heat lamp.

We're not using heat lamps and it's been extraordinarily cold during the first few weeks and again, the weather plus work schedules has delayed us building it to begin with