all day Free Rangers; I have a question about chicks in your flocks! please advise...

[thistlewick]

A pallet laying flat on bricks, the bricks lift it high enough that it can offer a perfect escape. Put it towards the middle, so that it can be reached from all four sides. I tend to feed my chicks there.

Ohh yes, we have pallets and bricks galore, thanks for this!!! we can do a couple!

 

[Mrs. K]

Another idea, let the big girls out to free range, lock the littles in the run. This lets them explore a bit without being chased, gives them a chance to find the escapes.

The next day, you can keep everyone in.

 

[thistlewick]

I ended up just letting them out, I just went with my gut.

I sat in there for 3 hours just to observe.

The ducklings (who are older by a couple weeks and MUCH bigger) were kinda guarding the opening so I kicked them out for a bit. Just wanted the chicks to not have someone in their face on their first foray out.

They ALL came out eventually, and started exploring, finding the food and water...

And about 2.5 hours later, the big girls showed up for their afternoon snacks -- and summarily ignored them completely.

All save Pepper, who bosses EVERYONE around. She just pecks the back of the neck, doesn't pluck feathers. She just.. lets everyone know the system! lol

I am concerned about this poor Light Brahma (Lil Peep)

Because bloody ><

Hopefully letting them all out and having the run of everywhere will help. I got some bleedstop powder, it will be coming soon.

I am *kicking* myself for letting it get like this. Absolutely kicking myself. I feel like any feather plucking issue is a huge failure on my part and I am very disappointed in myself.

 

[ChaosMom]

I ended up just letting them out, I just went with my gut.

View attachment 4101418

View attachment 4101419

I sat in there for 3 hours just to observe.

The ducklings (who are older by a couple weeks and MUCH bigger) were kinda guarding the opening so I kicked them out for a bit. Just wanted the chicks to not have someone in their face on their first foray out.

They ALL came out eventually, and started exploring, finding the food and water...

And about 2.5 hours later, the big girls showed up for their afternoon snacks -- and summarily ignored them completely.

All save Pepper, who bosses EVERYONE around. She just pecks the back of the neck, doesn't pluck feathers. She just.. lets everyone know the system! lol

I am concerned about this poor Light Brahma (Lil Peep)

Because bloody ><

View attachment 4101421

Hopefully letting them all out and having the run of everywhere will help. I got some bleedstop powder, it will be coming soon.

I am *kicking* myself for letting it get like this. Absolutely kicking myself. I feel like any feather plucking issue is a huge failure on my part and I am very disappointed in myself.

Chickens gonna chicken. You’re doing what you need to do: seeing problems when they arise and treating them.

 

[thistlewick]

Chickens gonna chicken. You’re doing what you need to do: seeing problems when they arise and treating them.

I didn't want to ever get the problem! Its my fault! I thought 36 square feet would be enough for 8 weeks.

NOPE NOPE NOPE

 

[ChaosMom]

I didn't want to ever get the problem! Its my fault! I thought 36 square feet would be enough for 8 weeks.

NOPE NOPE NOPE

Live and learn; that’s what we all do. We’re not broodies, so we don’t have these instincts.

 

[thistlewick]

First night after letting them out;

uneventful, peaceful and normal

I am blown away

Lil peep has cleaned herself up

will be keeping an eye on her a lot

the ducks are the LAST to go in, when they started waddling in (they free range too) the little girls, who adore the ducks, followed them...

They all went in the door like they already knew what to do.

I am simply blown away by just living in the hen house taught these guys where things where, where chickens go, what to do.. man so cool!!

 

[Mrs. K]

It really is, at first, I kept mine on heat - way too long! Then to keep them 'safe' I kept them in way too small an area.

I now get mine down to the coop by week 3. Mostly I wait that long, cause the grandkids love to play with them. Once the grandkids go home, they go down.

Mine have wind protection, a feeder in the safety zone, and I have a lot of space. But really chicks are a lot more hardy than one thinks, and space, sunshine and fresh air are very important to their health.

Mrs K