Quick question regarding baby chicks & cage...

[therunbunch]

Alrighty... I am wanting to move the 2 week old chickens out into the shed into this huge rabbit hutch that we have. It has a nice wire bottom in it and there is lots of room for the growing babies to move around without killing each other. I'm going to put the lamp in there (obviously) but I have a question:
Is it ok to put them in there on the wire bottom? I think I've heard some people say they do this from the time they get their baby chicks...

Should I put some hay/straw down on top of the wire or is the wire ok by itself? They can't fall through it, but I'm just wondering what would be best/most comfortable for them.

[chickenista]

Is it off the ground? Or set on the ground? (floor of shed)
If it is raised, I would put either wood, or a sheet of thick plastic/vinyl down and up a ways on the sides and then fill with shavings or pine needles to give them a softer, warmer base. Deep bedding stays fairly clean. I know a lot of us use deep bedding methods in our coops.
To just leave them on wire, you could face some issues..
little feet and legs or toes getting stuck in/through the wire and broken legs etc..
sores from constant contact with the wire
chills from not being able to save their body heat when they lay down..

[therunbunch]

I don't have any shavings and won't be able to get any until this weekend so I put a decent layer of they hay down. And it is raised up off the ground. I have the sides protected as well. One of my pyrs (the immature, pain in the butt male) is very interested in them... so I have a decent barrier to keep his nosy butt out of their way lol.

[Bearfootfarm]

I raise mine on wire and have had no problems.
It's 1/2 X 1/2 hardware cloth.
Droppings and spilled feed fall right through

[therunbunch]

Thanks Bearfoot.. sounds a lot like what we've got.

[Maura]

A always give them a little perch. Just a stick or two through the wire mesh. They like that.

[egg head]

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO TRAIN YOUR DOG WITH THE CHICKS. Do not pass up this opportunity. Post a thread about raising dogs around chickens you will get some great ideas. It beats hanging a dead hen or rooster around his neck until it falls off, yes that really works but it can be avoided. Hope the best to you all.

[Joshie]

Do you have a thermometer in the hutch?