WEEK 5 Update on little miss Ladybird (Barred Rock Plymouth) and Cornelia (Ameraucana).
Here is how I take care of my baby chicks (tweens?) in Week 5.
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 5:
🐥 This week is pretty easy, not much going on. We have just settled into a nice little routine; I take them out in the mornings and they are outside all day until they come in at night.
🐥 The lamp temperature where they sleep can go from 80° down to 75°. Now that their feathers are coming in, I am much less worried about them being cold, it’s more about just being comfortable and quiet now. Next week the lamp is coming out completely, so this is the last stage of supplying warmth.
🐥 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. Mine have gotten used to me, and there is minimal fuss when I’m moving them back and forth inside and outside.
🐥 Keep introducing new healthy snacks and greens. I moved their outside pen twice for a fresh grazing area.
🐥 Keep their pen covered if you live near open country or have hawks circling around. My chicken wire pen is uncovered, but I have guard dogs and we don’t have much wildlife here aside from evil squirrels and crows.
🐥 Things are going well and their feathers are filling in nicely. Excited to get them nestled into their permanent home outside with my hens in the coming weeks!
Click here to read on about Week 6.
Please leave your tips and comments below, I’d love to hear your own experiences and successes! (Or lessons…)
– Kate