Chickens for Autism

Glad to meet you! As far as I'm concerned any input for our special kids is helpful, and who knows? Good folks like you who don't have any autistic family members but still understand what we are going through might also be able to say, "Gee, that's a great idea and I'm going to suggest it to _____"! So the more input from all the better! Of course, it's not my thread, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

I think the zip ties would be better for marking chicks' feet. The other things - ribbons, braided embroidery floss, etc., might be too easily tangled or frayed, and could even tighten and cut off circulation to the chicks' feet. Ties don't do that. Selecting chicks of different colors would be a brilliant idea - easy to spot even from a distance!

505; so welcome to pop in! I am learning everyday, despite having had chickens in the past, and like that idea of the embroidery thread, esp since I have it.....cross stitcher and embroidery are a couple of my hobbies! Just have to keep a eye on the size of it as they grow.....
I will probably eventually have a large mixed flock again, but for now going to start with pure bred silkies as a 4H project for my son. I am fairly drooling over all the pics and baby peeps on here!

I don't know Blooie......hatching sounds like fun! Lol! But then again, never done it! Lol! Is this your first year at it?

Calebs Chicks said:

I don't know Blooie......hatching sounds like fun! Lol! But then again, never done it! Lol! Is this your first year at it?

Click to expand...

Yep, and LAST!

Oh come on!!! I am going to need you to coach me when I do it!!

Naming chickens. Who does it, and what's your method? Do you have a method? We do, and yes we have a method USUALLY. We named our chickens under different categories. Ex: our red sex links were all old fashioned names. Our Marans were all named after flowers and herbs. The Black Australorps had Disney Princess names( have a 4 year old niece)And so on, and so forth......

Well, I have good news, and bad news. Bad news is, our " breeder" overbooked, and now we have no chicks after rushing to set up the brooder....very disappointing for my child and us. Literally counted his chickens before hatching.
BUT. We also have a order in with another breeder whom is local, and has awesome, quality birds, so we will be all set by mid June at latest probably. Met the head of Hernando Cooperative Extension after the local Youth Poultry Show and livestock sale, whom introduced me to the leader of a local poultry club that she thought would be a good fit for Caleb. Although the typical season is over for showing, they still meet and go on educational field trips monthly with the kids throughout the summer. AWESOME!!!
In addition, a private school that specializes in Autistic children education has contacted me about a opening with them next fall. (Esther's School) I am going to check them out, and see what's what. I am still going to home school through out summer, and work on social skills, ADL's, and the never ending therapy sessions, but admittedly, was worried when I decided I would have to work a couple shifts at least twice a week to make ends meet.
Whew! God Bless the parents and guardians of multiple Autistic and or disabled children! I also want to put it out there that this opportunity is open! If you are a disabled kid, or have disabled children, we have a 4 H poultry and rabbit club for you here in Hernando County! There is also a 4H cooking and baking club if that is more your cup of tea....? Please pm me for info or contact the Hernando County Cooperative Extension. Ask for Nancy Moores. This club(s) is for both typical kids, and our special needs kids! A great way for your kids to be exposed and learn around all kinds of people! OFCOURSE the 4H has been around forever and they install wonderful life skills and opportunities in itself!

Update! I am not dead! I promise!! I have not been on for awhile, as we have been heaped on a lot by recent events here at our house.
So.....as rotten as it is- we discovered that our son as well as other children in his class were being physically, verbally abused in his classroom. We pulled him immediately, and I had a 2 month hiatus from my job as my wrist was broken in 2 places after a resulting meltdown. We had to cut costs a bit, and our internet was shut down awhile, not to mention that we now have endless therapy sessions to attempt damage control for my boy ; thanks to this evil event.
My wrist is mostly healed now, and we have found a God send in a new school that Caleb will start this August.
On a happier note- the Silkie chicks are here! We decided to start smaller than originally decided, and now have a dozen puffballs cheeping away in our brooder, scrambling in and out their mama heating pad...(thanks Blooie)

Colors included are White, Black, Partridge of 3 different shades, and Porcelain. All are busy, healthy, little fuzz balls and have to say- Bobbi Porto is the most personable, kind, knowledgable, and patient person I have met in a long time.