Well I am not going to tell anyone how to keep their chickens but I will
suggest and it sounds like you need to get them a cage to go in to for
the night for safety even a box with some holes for ventilation will work
but you need a top and a towel will work for this with news paper for
the floor straw would be top of the list , water and feed would be nice..
and for when it is time to go out you might want to make a little fenced
off area this can be managed with any old wire fencing of a feed store
should have a roll of cage wire 24" or 36" X 5' this is good enough for
a small round area to live in just wire the two ends together and any
type of top would work and do not forget to stake the fence down so
the wind wont blow it over, feed and water would be nice and a small
nesting box for them to get into if it rains or wind & some straw to
sleep or rest on...... The hens usually let the chicks go at 8-10 weeks
this is the norm I have seen ..... The wire at the store should not
be more then $ 10 or $ 15 dollars ......
The heating issue well this is your call as # one is staying out of the
wind and staying dry is very important but as long as it is above 20 F
I would think if the chicks huddle together and fully feathered no
real heat should be needed .......
For me I have several three month old Genies out side in a cage and
when I got up this morning it was 22 F but the chicks who I hatched
in a incubator are only four weeks old now they have a warmer in
the brooder and it is set for 50 F because they have feathers to help
keep them warm the worst part is the chicks sleep on the other side
of the cage because it is too hot for them and I keep them out side..
gander007
suggest and it sounds like you need to get them a cage to go in to for
the night for safety even a box with some holes for ventilation will work
but you need a top and a towel will work for this with news paper for
the floor straw would be top of the list , water and feed would be nice..
and for when it is time to go out you might want to make a little fenced
off area this can be managed with any old wire fencing of a feed store
should have a roll of cage wire 24" or 36" X 5' this is good enough for
a small round area to live in just wire the two ends together and any
type of top would work and do not forget to stake the fence down so
the wind wont blow it over, feed and water would be nice and a small
nesting box for them to get into if it rains or wind & some straw to
sleep or rest on...... The hens usually let the chicks go at 8-10 weeks
this is the norm I have seen ..... The wire at the store should not
be more then $ 10 or $ 15 dollars ......
The heating issue well this is your call as # one is staying out of the
wind and staying dry is very important but as long as it is above 20 F
I would think if the chicks huddle together and fully feathered no
real heat should be needed .......
For me I have several three month old Genies out side in a cage and
when I got up this morning it was 22 F but the chicks who I hatched
in a incubator are only four weeks old now they have a warmer in
the brooder and it is set for 50 F because they have feathers to help
keep them warm the worst part is the chicks sleep on the other side
of the cage because it is too hot for them and I keep them out side..
gander007
