[egglady]

have 3 chcks hatched on friday last week.  currently they are in a cardboard box in the livingroom with a heat lamp above them.  what stages, and for how long, do others take to get them to the point where they get introduced to the others?

[jameslindsay]

Laura with the chicks and ducklings I have hatched out the incubator, weather permitting, I get them outside after only a couple of days. Obviously they are in a secure run so they are safe and I always put the run close enough to the adults so they all get socialised. I also just have them out for a short spell at first and then gradually increase this time, ofcourse all depends on our unpredictable weather.

[dizzy1pig]

AW poor wee chookies.. is nice in the house mum!!!!!!!
Cheers for earlier
Mine go out at 5 weeks full time....
if have room can go out on nice days

[egglady]

oh now that is useful - thanks.  had them out on the grass yesterday and today with kids watching for anything that might take a wee fancy to them!  but hadnt thought they'd be out full time by 5 weeks - me thinks I've been too kind previously!

so if a nice day out all day?  and then back under the heat at night?

[jameslindsay]

I don't see why not. Just keep checking on them at regular intervals to see they are doing ok. The house will be stinking if you keep them indoors 24/7, trust me.

[egglady]

I don't see why not. Just keep checking on them at regular intervals to see they are doing ok. The house will be stinking if you keep them indoors 24/7, trust me.

aye i know!  i've told megan they can stay inside till she goes back to school on wednesday THEN they go outside.  stable at night and outside in the day i thought.  but dont remember it being for a such a short time previously....maybe i do have time to hatch some silkies/frizzels before the winter after all!!!!!!

[jameslindsay]

My first few hatchings were kept inside for much, much longer to be honest Laura but as you go on you learn and do things differently every time. The 5 chicks I had hatched by a hen 2 weeks ago are out from early morning in a secure run and put in and locked up a short time ago. Mum is having a great time showing them how to scratch, feed themselves and yesterday she showed them how to have a dust bath. It is absolutely magic watching this and is a lesson for me too.

[little blue]

ours have been out in a cage in the chook shed at 3 weeks - now the weather is alot warmer!
Once they start showing feathers, the lamp goes off in the middle of the day... then most of the day... then all day... then we give them at least a few days & nights in the house with the window open.

Some days the shed has been warmer than the house!  so no detriment at all to the chicks

It all depends on the climate outside - the first hatch were in alot longer, and yes, they make the room smell !!

[egglady]

mine have a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket/pillowcase - whatever is to hand, that we replenish between 4-6 times a day - they adore it and are sprawled all over it when it's still toasty warm.  yesterday and today i put the lamp off when i put the HWB in as didnt see the point in wasting leckie!

tomorrow i think i might (weather dependant of course), put them in a run with their hottie so they can suit themselves how warm they want to be.

[jameslindsay]

So, Silkies and Frizzles next Laura? I love the Frizzles too.

[dizzy1pig]

ha ha get you all hooked yet!!!!!!!!!

[jameslindsay]

Yes Nicky its all your fault and don't sound so proud of yourself hahaha

[dizzy1pig]

workin on frizzles.. both sitting at moment.. however think have 1 wee girl just hatched......
AND got white silkie eggs 4 u Laura.......

[egglady]

workin on frizzles.. both sitting at moment.. however think have 1 wee girl just hatched......
AND got white silkie eggs 4 u Laura.......

i'm scared to tell megan!  she'll have me up there first thing tomorrow!!!!!

[jameslindsay]

Oh exciting stuff - wee Frizzles brilliant.