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Friday, May 10, 2013

Feathered Friend Friday: The Chicks' New Digs

The chicks are nearly five weeks old now (how did that happen?!) and getting bigger everyday. I have raised several flocks of chicks but I am always amazed each time at how fast they grow, and how stinky they get! We originally had the chicks in a small wash basin of sorts in the guest room. When they outgrew that we moved them into a bigger tub in the garage. When they outgrew that, we moved them into the shower in the guest bathroom. And now, they've outgrown that! So outside to the coop they go.


Our other chickens sleep in a different coop close by, so the chicks have this one all to themselves until they are big enough to mix in with the flock. I hooked up the heat lamp just in case they need it because they aren't quite fully feathered yet and it still gets a little chilly at night here. But so far they haven't seemed to need any extra warmth.


In a few more weeks, after they are used to the coop, we will let them outside to roam around a small enclosed area. There is a little run attached to this coop that is separate from the main chicken run, but they will all be able to see each other. This is a very important step in integrating flocks - letting them get used to each other for a while through a fence before you put them all together.


They are still quite a ways away from being integrated with the main flock, but for now, they are at least hearing the other chickens and getting used to the sound of roosters and guineas! This will definitely help to make their transition into the main flock as seamless as can be.

~Tammy

39 comments:

  1. They grow so fast!! Great shots. :)

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  2. Awwwww, they are getting so big! So glad you have a separate space for them- it makes things so much easier. They look like they are going to be pretty girls :)

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  3. Looks like you have a great set up for all their growing up stages. They are so big already!
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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  4. What an adorable coop and adorable chicks!!!! :Dx

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  5. Your little girls are growing up fast. Such cute photos!

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  6. I love that little coop! I am learning so much from your chicken posts! Thanks!
    Liz

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  7. Isn't it ironic how just about the time they get stinky....they're also not as cute anymore? ;-)

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  8. They are adorable! I love to watch them grow - it seems they change so much every day. Great idea to have 2 coops to keep them separated!

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  9. I love their little house! It sounds like you have thought of everything to help make their lives as comfortable as can be! They are lucky little chicks! xoxo

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  10. That is a sweet little chicken house. I envy your chickens! Ah, someday... :)

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  11. They are sooo sweet at that age aren't they! We just got 10 new layers, just at point of lay, I always forget how soft their feathers are and how sweet natured they are, my old girls all just bully me now!
    Janie x

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  12. Nice house...... lucky chicks. They sure do grow up fast. B

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  13. Cute lil' coop! We moved our 9-week-old girls out into the original coop which is small and inside the run for a "hang out" spot for the other girls. I needed them out of the house! LOL They've spent the last few nights outside and have been just fine. They love being outside more!

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  14. Best wishes for continued luck. They look very sweet in that, "in-between", stage.

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  15. That hen house is bigger than my cottage x

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  16. The house is cute and the chicks look like they have grown. They are still very cute! I hope they like their new home. Have a great weekend, Tammy!

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  17. Can't wait to see and hear all the wonderful "new chick" adventures. The new ladies are real beauties... Happy Mother's Day to you and your new girls! Blessings!

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  18. It is amazing isn't it!? My chicks are a month.(Almost the same age as yours!) The hutch they're in allows the hens to see them while they free range. Your chicks a gorgeous, and enormous!!

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  19. Yup same process going on here lol and then Mountain Man has brought home new chicks ....baby BLACK Frizzles and BUFF Silkies oh just when I thought I was going to put away the heat lamp hee hee

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  20. What a nice set up you have! Justin wired mama hen in a spot away from the babies today...they've got run of a big chunk of the barn. They're having a BLAST!

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  21. That is a cute little coop! What else do you use it for!!?

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  22. Oh boy, they've grown so much! Not as cute as when they were little chicks but nonetheless pretty! I love their coop, especially the windows, well all the trim around it :)

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  23. Your chicks are so cute. Time does go by fast with the chicks. I find myself waiting after that until they lay now that part drags for me. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  24. They are growing so fast..you have a cute coop!

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  25. My oh my how they have grown doing well in their new home I see. :)

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  26. I love their new home - it's adorable Tammy!

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  27. Their coop looks very cozy and comfortable. They have really grown!

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  28. Love that coop. Those birds are well-loved.

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  29. I can't believe you kept them in the house for so long. Do they sleep when it is dark or cause a raucous during the night? They are lucky to have such kind people to take care of them. After watching Earthlings last night, I'm shocked and appalled at what is done to animals in this day and age. So sad.

    Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

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  30. LOVE it! It looks so cute & cozy! You guys really do take such good care of your chickens.

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  31. I'm glad we're not the only ones who keep our chicks in the guest room! :) I've started putting our chicks in our smaller coop, which has an enclosed run, in the day time. They're only about three weeks old, but we live in NC and although we've had a cold spring, it's been in the upper 70s and lower 80s all week. They seem to enjoy being outside and are exhausted by the time I bring them in at the end of the day. Good for them, good for us!

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  32. You are a thoughtful coop keeper. The chicks look great! Ours will be arriving the end of June. I can hardly wait. :-)

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  33. They're growing like weeds!! Cute little weeds at that :-)

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  34. Great set up for them! :) So cute!

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  35. Cute!! I am glad to know it isn't just my little ones that are stinky!

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  36. I let our new pullets out into their larger area a couple of weeks ago and they love it -- one of the older hens sneaked in there while I was feeding them and they didn't even notice her. Even though she was a bit hoggish with the food. :)

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  37. A very nice coop! And a nice chick caretaker you are!

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  38. You are lucky to have this great set up where they have their own coop AND run for now. I have ours in a separate coop but we don't have an area in the run that is removed from the older girls. I have been thinking a lot about how it will go when we integrate and I'm a nervous wreck about it lol I'm thrilled to have found your blog and watch how you go about the whole process. Your chicks are SO cute. I love when they hit this stage of unruly feathers. Adorable!
    Kris

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