Unsecure chicken perches

[sparkysmum]

My pekin is broody again & I have been offered some 2 day old chicks to pop under her rather than go through the whole process. I am tempted but not 100 per cent convinced. To help me decide whether or not to accept this generous offer I would like some info on the following points.

1) Accommodation I have a spare ark (wooden) and run. Would this be OK? Or should I be looking at indoor rabbit run type housing.

 

Inside or out? Do new baby chicks need to be indoors even if they are with a real hen, as opposed to electric hen? If they need to be indoors ( and I understand perfectly if they do) when can they go out?

 

Sorry to ask such basic questions but your replies will help me decide what to do. Ta, Alli xx

[Egluntyne]

They don't need to be indoors if they are being cared for by a broody.

 

I'd slip them under her at night and remove a couple of eggs.

[Griffin]

It's amazing how quickly the chicks adjust to the weather. Tiger hatched five bantam chicks on Saturday and I spent an enjoyable afternoon in the garden yesterday watching them as she took them outside for the first time. She kept popping back to the coop but the little Welsummer chick upset her by refusing to go in when it was told to because it was having a great time playing out!

 

Just make sure that the gaps in the chicken wire/weld mesh/whatever on the run of the ark are not big enough for the chicks to poke their heads through.

[Ygerna]

Just make sure that the gaps in the chicken wire/weld mesh/whatever on the run of the ark are not big enough for the chicks to poke their heads through.

 

Oh indeed! I had my little bantam chick sneek under the run edge today. Luckily Mum couldn't get out so the chick didn't venture far and I caught her (being optimistic here). Little madam.

[chicken bark]

Just make sure that the gaps in the chicken wire/weld mesh/whatever on the run of the ark are not big enough for the chicks to poke their heads through.

 

Oh indeed! I had my little bantam chick sneek under the run edge today. Luckily Mum couldn't get out so the chick didn't venture far and I caught her (being optimistic here). Little madam.

Bet your heart was in your mouth! They can get out of the smallest of gaps. I had some that got through a gap in the wire I hadn't noticed. But as you say Ygerna they don't go far if Mum can't get through. Just lots of loud cheeping.

[sparkysmum]

Thanks for your advice everyone esp Egluntyne Little pekin is now a proud mum to 3 x australops, a light sussex, & a brown & a pyle leghorn. Have posted pics on another thread in "chickens" Alli x