WEEK 4 Update on little miss Ladybird (Barred Rock Plymouth) and Cornelia (Ameraucana).
Here is how I take care of my baby chicks in Week 4.
Follow along with me each week until these baby chicks have fully feathered and joined my flock around 8-12 weeks old.
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Week 4:
🐥 The lamp temperature can go from 85° down to 80°. I have an open space cage, so they can move around freely to where they are comfortable, but I always have a minimum temperature of at least 80° available to them. If you have them in an enclosed plastic bin, monitor the temp very closely so that they do not overheat or get too cold. I can turn my heat lamp off during the day, since mine are in the garage and it’s warm enough on its own, but I have timer set to make sure I turn it back on when it gets cold in the evening.
🐥 Continue to make sure they always have chick feed, fresh water, and lots of cuddling for more friendly adult hens! Pet them gently and move slowly.
🐥 This week, one of my chicks hopped/flew out of their inside pen in the garage, so I put a mesh cover over it to keep them inside.
🐥 Keep introducing new snacks for some entertainment. You can try a chicken swing (my bet is they don’t use it after all your hard work!) or new perches to keep things interesting for them.
🐥 Their outside trips can be extended to hours at a time. Make sure to keep an eye on them and watch for signs they are uncomfortable. (Very noisy, huddling/hiding, etc.) If you are in an open area, I would cover their pen if you are leaving them outside alone, hawks can and will swoop down on some easy prey. Not to mention cats or other neighborhood predators. Make sure they have food, water, a shady spot if desired, and a small covered area like a cardboard box to retreat to if feeling unsafe. They will roam around to wherever suits them, it’s best to have options available in case it gets hot or cold or scary.
Click here for WEEK 5, and Happy Chickening!
Please leave your tips and comments below, I’d love to hear your own experiences and successes! (Or lessons…)
– Kate
