jeshen Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 My pekin, Golda, has been bringing up her chick, now 10 days old, in a broody cage with access to a covered run. The chick is feisty and feeds and drinks well when out in the run, but to me, she seems a bit small still. (It's my first hatch so not really sure how big she should be.) At night I shut them in the broody cage together and remove the food and water from the run to avoid rodent visits. Yesterday evening I read online that chicks should have access to food and water 24/7, so went out at 11pm and put food and water in the broody cage just in case. Is this necessary or even desirable? Don't want to encourage rodents, but more importantly, I don't want to lose Golda's chick! It would be very helpful to know what other omleteers do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 my broody raised chicks only have access in the day you won't see much change in size for the first week or two as they are growing themselves and feathers but all of a sudden you will see a marked change about the time they have all their first proper feathers full on show and their are proudly showing off their new tail feathers in the sun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hi, Mine are all outside and none have food or water at night. As I understand it miosture in the coop is a no no. Also they calm down and sleep when it's dark......all those lovely feathers to grow!!! My 4 week old chicks seem enormous compared to my 2 week olds!! So many feathers! Saw the first couple of chicks that hatched having a dustbath in the sunshine together this morning. They really seem like minature copies of the adults! Although I was a bit surprised when the chick that I think is a boy was trying to spar, through the wire with his dad who was freeranging and seems very interested in their mum!!! (they are separated in different coops and runs) Oh let's hope he's the only boy out of the 4!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Thanks both! Will return to 'as we were'! Glad yours are doing well, Mimi. Am looking forward to the time Golda and her chick (if she's a girl...) can join the others free-ranging in the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markAndCharlene Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Its more the dampness in a coop with chicks that must be kept to a minimum. Coccidiosis loves damp conditions; this current weather has been really bad for it. Need to be vigilant about keeping those chick coops clean and dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 At this time of year there are plenty of daylight hours for the chicks to get the necessary amount of food and water so as the others have said its fine not to have water and food in the coop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
