Firewithin
In the Brooder
- Apr 22, 2015
- 18
- 2
- 22
We weren't exactly planning on venturing into the wonderful world of chickens for another year, but what can I say? When I find babies in need of rescuing, it's instinct to fly in and save them. I am now the mother hen of 15 silkie chicks. Oh dear Lord, what have I done....the cuteness overload is much stronger than I had expected.
About me; I've dabbled with birds so I have some basic knowledge of them. I've raised and bred snakes, mice, rats, fish, and dogs. My expertise are cats, as I've spent years working with fosters and orphans. Animals are just my thing.
Little about these peeps we acquired: There are 15 of them. They were listed as silkies and have 5 feathered toes so the description fits. They range from 5 days old to 1 1/2 weeks if the 'seller' was being honest. I can pick them up with on hand and they weigh next to nothing. Little fuzzy butt feathers are starting to come in, as well as on the wings (except for the 5 day old peep). After 2 days of coaxing, they're now starting to open up and venture around the outside pen I supervise them in. Since I don't work, I've spent 6-7 hours outside in the shaded pen with them. They have access to freshly trimmed grass (and insects that might be lurking on the ground), crumbles, grit, and an a solution of water to keep electrolytes up and the pen is 16'x16'. It's temporary will we get the real pen/coop up. We want to eventually get them free ranging in a larger enclosure.
We're now 3 days into having them, and so far, no deaths. Counting my blessings. I've heard horror stories of sudden death. They're very active and run around the pen, peeping and pecking away. They also like to flap their little wings and hop around; sometimes they even box each other. Oh...and the dust baths...they've finally learned how to do that after two days of flopping around like clumsy babies
Oh, and I'm in the south, so the temps are between 70-85 degrees. They are brought inside when not supervised, but like I said, I've parked my bum in a reclining chair to guard them for the hours I have them outside. A nice book and the laptop at my finger tips and I'm set. My profile pic shows the peeps on day 2 in the pen.
About me; I've dabbled with birds so I have some basic knowledge of them. I've raised and bred snakes, mice, rats, fish, and dogs. My expertise are cats, as I've spent years working with fosters and orphans. Animals are just my thing.
Little about these peeps we acquired: There are 15 of them. They were listed as silkies and have 5 feathered toes so the description fits. They range from 5 days old to 1 1/2 weeks if the 'seller' was being honest. I can pick them up with on hand and they weigh next to nothing. Little fuzzy butt feathers are starting to come in, as well as on the wings (except for the 5 day old peep). After 2 days of coaxing, they're now starting to open up and venture around the outside pen I supervise them in. Since I don't work, I've spent 6-7 hours outside in the shaded pen with them. They have access to freshly trimmed grass (and insects that might be lurking on the ground), crumbles, grit, and an a solution of water to keep electrolytes up and the pen is 16'x16'. It's temporary will we get the real pen/coop up. We want to eventually get them free ranging in a larger enclosure.
We're now 3 days into having them, and so far, no deaths. Counting my blessings. I've heard horror stories of sudden death. They're very active and run around the pen, peeping and pecking away. They also like to flap their little wings and hop around; sometimes they even box each other. Oh...and the dust baths...they've finally learned how to do that after two days of flopping around like clumsy babies
Oh, and I'm in the south, so the temps are between 70-85 degrees. They are brought inside when not supervised, but like I said, I've parked my bum in a reclining chair to guard them for the hours I have them outside. A nice book and the laptop at my finger tips and I'm set. My profile pic shows the peeps on day 2 in the pen.
Thats great that you haven't lost any!! I've lost a couple, and it's always so sad!! 
and Welcome To BYC!
