Recent content by losttexan

For well-feathered chicks, 40 degrees wouldn't concern me. I think they would do better sleeping with the flock, anyway. Is mom completely ignoring them? That seems a little early for 4 weeks, but I don't have much experience with Javas.

I admit - it is very strange, but she is in a pen I doubt a rat could get into, much less another chicken. As far as human pranksters go, I am out here alone in a pretty secluded area. I doubt someone made their way onto the property past all the cameras, dogs, etc. just to place an egg in a...

I've had chickens for quite awhile now and have raised many chicks, both with and without mother hens, but today I witnessed something I have never seen before. I have a year-old Buff Orp sitting eggs for the first time. She is sequestered in her own coop, which prevents her or any other hen...

I've been using warming plates (Ecoglows) for a few years now, and I'll never go back. Less fire risk, less electricity, chicks can regulate their exposure, more like a broody mom, more natural light cycles - what's to think about? As far as how warm it "feels" - stick your hand under a broody...

Everyone's experiences are anecdotal, but here's mine: I placed an order with Hoover's hatchery January 2018. This is the first time I have used them. I ordered Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, French Copper Marans and two Mille Fleur bantams. When I originally ordered, I called and talked to a...

If you cross a Gold Sebright male with a Silver Sebright female, you get the Gold X Silver sex linked results of Gold Pullets and Silver males, with the males showing brass in their necks. If you cross a Silver male with a Gold female, all the progeny will be silver, the pullets will appear...

I've snuck live chicks in a couple of times and have generally been successful with it. What I'm wanting to do here is slip some eggs in when they're on their last few days to see how well she handles hatching duties (does she freak out at the sound and movement or does she sit tight and keep...

Like many others here, upcoming Spring means firing up the 'bators and collecting eggs. I have an average of 70-100 eggs cooking at any one time. One of my little 29-week old Silkie projects decided she would go broody (believe it or not, my Silkies don't seem to be as broody-prone as others)...

Heat mats (panels) - without a doubt. Absolutely no questions.

Best olive egger I ever had was a cuckoo maran hen with EE cock. Deep deep olive color.

Like just about everyone else, I started with heat lamps. I soon switched to electric panels and never looked back. 1) safer by far 2) uses way less electricity 3) allows chicks to regulate their own temperature, based on need 4) more accurately mimics nature/mama hen 5) less problems with...

I ask about the comet because chickens, being social creatures, do not do well as singletons. That would concern me more than Silkies seemingly too hot in 80-something temps (assuming that's accurate). If you determine separation is absolutely necessary, at least try to orient them where they...

As ellie indicates, wetting down 2-week olds should not be necessary (or, might I add, a good idea) at that age. That's why I asked what your heat source is. Obviously, that is the one factor that has the most impact, and I'm not sure how to advise without knowing the answer.

Also - if you did move them, would you be leaving your comet alone?

I've seen lots of posts re: silkies' different temperature tolerances, but I haven't found them to be that different from any other breed. Your chicks may be "sunbathing" (are they laying on their sides with their legs stretched out)? Two-week olds shouldn't be overheating at 80s. If they are...