What's best to cover grass in a coop for 5 week old chicks

[N F C]

Hi, it's nice to have you here! Enjoy those little ones, they grow up quickly

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[adrikeen]

Glad you joined our flock! Pull up a roost!

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[feathermaid]

I agree with the others... just dump a bunch of pine shavings (grass clippings, straw, leaves etc) on the grass over the poop. Before long the grass will disappear, and as long as you keep adding litter (DLM) the poo is hardly noticeable. It's a great method.

Also, probably best to keep the chicks in the coop permanently now. Moving them between locations could be confusing for them, and you'll want to actually "home" them to the coop so they know where to roost at night all on their own.
My chicks were roosting at 5 wks without supplemental heat and nights were in the 50sF. But if you're worried about the cold, could always run an extension cord to a heating pad... it would only be for a week or two.
Here's a great article to help understand chicks' need for warmth.

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you joined us at Backyard chickens

 

[GypsiLinz]

Thanks guys! Lots of info! So appreciated. I'm so in love with them already.. I think I'll start keeping them outside. I'll just put the heating element in there at night. Oh god!! Wish me luck. I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep at night hahaha

 

[feathermaid]

Thanks guys! Lots of info! So appreciated. I'm so in love with them already.. I think I'll start keeping them outside. I'll just put the heating element in there at night. Oh god!! Wish me luck. I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep at night hahaha

Good luck, new mama! I know, it's so hard when your children are ready to be on their own. But you can always check on them during the night (like I did... for like a lot of times... and still do occasionally). Sweet little bundles of joy just make us crazy!

 

[Pork Pie]

At 5 weeks old they should not require a heat source in those temps. Maybe next time, try weaning them off the heat source gradually. In my experience, chicks raised on the equator (similar to the temps you describe) do not need any additional heat after 7 days (being kept in an unheated building). By week 4 they are out in the big wide world.

There's no harm in keeping the heat source, for your own sake, but they should be fine and certainly so after a few days.

 

[GypsiLinz]

Should I put food in their coop at night or will they be okay through the night without it?