Growing and Learning

I said in my last post I would post about our chicken run we built for the baby chicks to be outside in, yet safe from predators like hawks. And it works we have had a hawk try to get them in here without success. We have also used it to separate chickens as needed like when they are minor sick or injured. Keeps them outside with the flock, but separate so they don’t get worse and they can focus on healing.

Our babies seem to love it as they can jump, run around, stretch their legs, practice using their wings, and they can play on little logs or things we put in for them.

They also like it when I put their food in there along with the water that is always available.

Usually they forage a lot then go back for their food as they are just learning and haven’t figured out yet how to get more food from the outside.

Chase is usually close by and keeps an eye on them. You’ll usually find him laying by the run or sometimes napping by it. Other times he’ll run around a little then come back to check on them like in this picture.

Chase has been running around before I took this picture so he was a little tired and hot here.

The big girls also get to check out their soon to be new roomies and the babies can get used to the big girls too. Some of the big girls are more interested then others.

The run is about 6-7 feet long and about 4 feet wide. The top is mostly tarped to protect them and provide shade. The other part has a screen over it where we get in and out and lets sun in. This gives the babies choice of sun or shade while still protecting them. The whole thing as you can see has chicken wire all around it and the tarp hangs off one side for more shade option.

They really love being outside more and it gives us a place to let them out without having to be right there with them or worry. Happy Friday!