Hi everyone,
We are new to chicks and chickens this year and could use a bit of guidance. We have four ISA Brown laying hens already in the coop, and eight chicks (four Barred Rock and four Black Sex-link) in the house. They are just over six weeks old now and look to be fully feathered. They haven't had a light on for a few weeks, have been outside in the yard with the kids (no completely fenced area for them) and seem to be doing well.
I'd like to get them into the coop soon, but am not sure how to integrate them with the other birds. We had an issue of prolapsed vent with one of the layers and had to take her out for about a week. It was a bit of a challenge getting her back in with the crowd. One bird in particular was very aggressive and would instigate pecking, with the others following suit. I wouldn't want the same thing to happen with the chicks!
My other concern is the weather. We live in Ontario, Canada and our weather is quite odd this year - really hot for a few days, and cool the next few. It's been cold at night as well, as low as 50F. The coop is insulated, but not heated (yet), it's about 5x7, with four "exterior" nesting boxes and a roost. The chickens seem to either sleep on the floor, or in the boxes. The chicks are living together in a Rubbermaid container in our basement
Any suggestions are much appreciated!
Thanks,
Mandy
Amaranth Township
Grand Valley, Ontario
We are new to chicks and chickens this year and could use a bit of guidance. We have four ISA Brown laying hens already in the coop, and eight chicks (four Barred Rock and four Black Sex-link) in the house. They are just over six weeks old now and look to be fully feathered. They haven't had a light on for a few weeks, have been outside in the yard with the kids (no completely fenced area for them) and seem to be doing well.
I'd like to get them into the coop soon, but am not sure how to integrate them with the other birds. We had an issue of prolapsed vent with one of the layers and had to take her out for about a week. It was a bit of a challenge getting her back in with the crowd. One bird in particular was very aggressive and would instigate pecking, with the others following suit. I wouldn't want the same thing to happen with the chicks!
My other concern is the weather. We live in Ontario, Canada and our weather is quite odd this year - really hot for a few days, and cool the next few. It's been cold at night as well, as low as 50F. The coop is insulated, but not heated (yet), it's about 5x7, with four "exterior" nesting boxes and a roost. The chickens seem to either sleep on the floor, or in the boxes. The chicks are living together in a Rubbermaid container in our basement
Any suggestions are much appreciated!
Thanks,
Mandy
Amaranth Township
Grand Valley, Ontario
