Your once cute fluffy chick that used to sit at the bottom of a box is now getting messy and trying to jump out of its box at any opportunity.About now you are wondering if you and your baby would both be happier with an alternative arrangement. What you do with your chick now depends on how many feathers your chick has, what the weather is like, what you have available and who already live in your backyard.

 Even though everyone has a different situation, your chicks need the same things they needed before

 *Warmth

*Protection

*Food

*Water

*Warmth*

How much warmth your chick needs depends on how many feathers they have and what seasons it is. The more feathers they have the better they can handle the outside elements. The colder and wetter the weather the more protection and heat you will need to provide for your chick. You may want to consider something that is totally enclosed still with a light, just outside. If it is hot and dry you may be able to let them wonder around in an area that is more open and only provide a light at night.

It is exactly the same as when they first hatched, if they are cheeping loudly chances are they are too cold or they feel too exposed.

*Protection*

Your chick is much like a small child. They are developing a sense of independence which is a necessary part of growing up. However like a small child they can be oblivious to danger. They will be subject to whatever predators that your older chickens are prey to as well as a few more dangers. Crows or large birds can pick up and fly away with surprisingly large chicks. Your chicks will need protection from above to prevent this happening.

In summer you will need to provide somewhere nice and shady.

*Food*

From 8 - 12 weeks you change from “Chick Starter” to “Grower Crumble”. You may like to spread some on the ground as chickens love scratching. You may also like to start introducing a small amount of greens. Monitor your chicks to make sure that they are digesting it and it isn’t causing diarrhoea.

*Water*

You will be surprised at how much water they can drink at this age. They are growing rapidly and have increased energy needs. If the weather is hot your chicks can die of dehydration. You may need to start thinking about buying a larger waterer, as they get bigger they can’t always get their heads into the smaller ones.

Check that they know where their water and food is now and monitor them over the next few weeks feeling their breast bone to make sure that they are still gaining weight.

This big step into the outside world should be done on a day when you can monitor your chicks needs. In other words don’t just put them outside and then go out for the day.

 Clucky Hen