Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Kirstie]

Hi,

 

My 6 chicks are now 4 weeks old (as of this weekend) and they are very well feathered - it's only the youngest whose head is fluffy still - the others have feathers but with the odd fluffy feather attached on the end.

 

As of two days ago I have switched them off the heat during the day, as they were never under the electric hen, always busy or lying in the middle of the rabbit cage they are in (which rightly or wrongly I took as a sign for not needing the heat during the day - I do check on them a lot during the day so if need be I can put the heat on for them but I've not needed to).

Yesterday I put them in their eglu go and run for the afternoon, which they loved! And it was sooooo lovely watching them scratch around in the grass it did rain and I nearly brought them back in (their rabbit cage is in the garage) but they went under the cover and then went into the house - I moved them back in once I saw they were in the house most of the time - I took this that they were cold.

I put them out again for a bit today but we went out for the afternoon and it was a bit windy so I put them in their garage house, which boy was I glad I did as it tipped it down and thundered!

 

Right the reason for my rambling is - is this ok to put them out like I am doing at 4 weeks? Also how do I move to them being off the heat anytime (I am not wanting to rush this at all I'm just wondering what time frame and how to do it) and now they are outside eating grass etc do they need chick grit (they are only being fed chick crumbs currently)? Ummm I'm sure I had more questions about this bit but can't actually think !

 

So please any advice, telling off, info will be gratefully received! As I really do want to get it right for my little chicks (and at some point I may put photos on for help with ID as my husband is getting fed up with my "and today in the little chick house all the chicks look like boys, no maybe 4 girls, no maybe 1 girl" routine I seem to do at least 3 times a day! We def have 2 boys - lovely red combs and wattles - and all chicks have feathery feet! Mums were bluebells (maranxrhode island red) and dad was a lavender Pekin - which is where the feathery feet is from - we are just shocked he actually got it on )

 

Sorry for my ramblings

 

Kirstie

[Tweety]

Hi Kirstie, if it is warm enough outside I think it is fine to put them outside as you have been doing. As for taking them off heat all the time, I did this with mine when they were 5 - 6 weeks old and they were absolutely fine. Chick grit is a good idea if they are going to be eating anything other than chick crumb.

Good luck with them, they sound lovely!

[Kirstie]

Thanks tweety x I just needed someone to put my mind at rest that I'm not damaging them in anyway - and your post did that thank you.

 

And yes they are lovely but I think it would be impossible to find any chicks that aren't lovely!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Good grief a pekin and a bluebelle ................don't tell my little chap Baby, he's all but given up trying to share his love with the big girls (Orpingtons, Marans, Black Rock).......he keeps falling off ........he does have a harem of Pekin ladies who do not escape his attentions however & we have 5 of his offspring currently wandering in the garden & 8 eggs under 2 broody Pekins

 

I think your routine sounds fine too, just put a pot of chick grit in the run, they'll help themselves as needed..........my chicks have all eaten their sand-based dustbaths too, which I'm sure helps a little in the digestion department when they are tiny..

 

Can't wait to see their piccies

 

Sha x