ArcticFox Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Hi all I have had hens for a year now. We started with a little coop with a raised nest site and run, but quickly moved to free range and a larger coop. We kept the little coop just in case and when our legbar was broody we put some fertilised Scots Dumpy eggs under her. She did a fab job and has hatched four of them! Three are black, one white Anyway they are now two days old (hatched Saturday) and are looking pretty strong, just watched a chick eating an earwig (why has the nest site got earwigs in it?!). They are eating chick crumb and the mum is on that too. Shortly before hatching I shut the hen (Patsy) into the nest site with her water and food so that if any chicks hatched they wouldn't fall down the ramp. Now they are moving about a bit, when is the best time to let them out? I've put a bucket on its side under the next box and put straw in it so that I could shut them into the run part and it's all on the floor but I'm worried the chicks would die. It's not cold, and we don't have foxes (yes really!) yet! We do have badgers which I think is why we don't, and they've never been near the coop, or the barn so they seem pretty safe in that respect. The run has a roof on it and chicks couldn't escape. The run is right next to the other coop so all the other hens can hear the chicks and see them once they are out. I was hoping this would help integrate them later? Many thanks in advance! Looking for lots of advice please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I let mine out of the coop 24hrs after the last one has hatched and I put the food and water in the run they still have access to the coop during the day some of my broodies take the chicks in every so often others stay out until bed time. I start to Free range them at about 5 days old just the chicks and 'mom' the first day as normally after about 20-30 mins she takes them back into the run after that they get to free range with the mob every time I let the mob out the broody will keep the safe and warm for at least 6 weeks and for the first 10 - 14 days the chicks will spend more time under her than out and about after that they start to get more intendant normal to the total frustration of a nervy 'mom' but total joy of a more experienced 'mom' I've got 3- 8/9 week old growers out with the mob now 'mom' went back in with her group 3 weeks ago all but 7 of my adult birds have been raised the same way 2 were brought in as POL the other 5 were incubator hatched so didn't go outside until they were 10 weeks old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 The earwigs are eating mites or lice, just like ants do Arcticfox. Don't presume you haven't got foxes. They are there, just haven't struck yet. As Sjp for the rest. We don't put the chicks into adult runs until they can defend themselves, which practically means when they are laying and on layers pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 ..............We don't put the chicks into adult runs until they can defend themselves, which practically means when they are laying and on layers pellets. That's my advice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticFox Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 Ok thank you. So I'll open the coop tomorrow and let her into the run. Chicks munching away on the chick crumb! Looking pretty active just now. Will they be able to get up the ramp to the best site or am I better shutting that off and putting some kind of nest area on the floor? They look very cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I always allow them free access to the nest area, but make sure to use a non-slip flooring to prevent splay legs; that rubberised webbing you can get to stop ornaments slipping is good. You don't say how high up the coop is, I usually use an Eglu Classic, with a bit of wood in front of the door to make a small ramp or step as the entrance is about 2" high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticFox Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 The maternity wing is like this one http://chickensaloon.com/the-tavern-backyard-chicken-coop/ But I have them shut into the best area as I thought the ramp was too steep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticFox Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 Nest not best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Yes, not ideal; you really need something flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArcticFox Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 have now moved them onto the ground, and put a nest box for them to snuggle in. the chicks look to be happy enough and the mum is now eating grass. hopefully they will be ok, will check tonight after work and will move back if the chicks look to be unhappy. thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
