Recent content by ShadyHillFarm

I have several chicks I that are almost completely feathered out at 5 weeks old, except for one. This chick is the same size at the others, but still fuzzy. I was planning on moving them all out this week, but I'm concerned about that one. Temps are averaging low 70s during the days to 40s at...

She is a bit more still than others, but still pretty active. Like right now she is totally ticked being separated, chirping loudly and keeps trying to find a way past the hardware cloth. He eyes aren't near as open and bright as the others, that's something I've always noticed. In just the few...

This little guy has always been a bit puffier in the crop than the others, but this morning I woke up to this. I'm assuming this is still his crop? It's very soft, so I know it's not impacted. I've already separated him with some hardware cloth from the others and the food/water for the time...

Thank you. Meyer has been faithful to their policy, offering a refund on the chicks or shipment of new chicks as no cost to me. I've never had a problem with Meyer before and like others stated, they did their part. I just wasn't paying attention to dates (Hello Black Friday and cyber Monday). I...

Thank you, and thank you all for your responses. I appreciate it.

We're still watching one that's probably about to pass. The rest seem okay. We'll see. :hmm

No, pine shavings only. I know not to put cedar and we dip every beak as we take them out of the box.

Yes. This is probably going to be my last time purchasing chicks like this.

I'll be honest, I didn't. I just set it up like normal and put my hand under the light, directly under the bedding to make sure it wasn't too hot. I thought that too. I washed out the tub out with water before using it, and I actually bought a new feeder and waterer. Water is from our tap...

250 watts, 34 inches from the floor, but only covering half the tub (similar to this pic, but the light's a little further back). House is a steady 65 degrees. Like I said, I've used this same set-up multiple times and never lost but one chicken (as a chick). Are different breeds of chicks more...

I don't understand though. They weren't crowding from the light. This is the same set up I use every year when getting chicks (Spring and Fall). What gives this time?

I don't know what's happening!! I've been raising chicks/chickens for over 5 years now and have never had this happen. We ordered 17 chicks from Meyer's (Australorps) and in 24 hours 9 have died!! Four died within 12 hours and then my kids get up this morning and 5 more are just lying there...

I appreciate the advice! This morning, after I put out feed for both flocks, I opened up about a 2 foot space of chicken wire. We had several ballgames/practices today, so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. Come home and all the 13 weekers are over in the run w/ the big boys and girls...

Thank you for the feedback! My 13 weekers and older flock have lived separated by chicken wire for over a month now, so they're pretty familiar with each other. Some of my older birds just seem very big (a large rooster, big brahmas, a large EE), compared to a flock of 13 week red...

I have 3 flocks right now and my 5 week old chicks have quickly outgrown their brooder. I'm torn about what to do. I have my coop/run split for two flocks. So do I move my 13 week old chicks (8) in with my 1-3 year old flock (14), then move my feathered out 5 week chicks (15) into the empty coop...