How old Silver Laced Wyandottes need to be before you can see the comb and wattle start to differ between hens and roosters?
Mine are about 2 months old and all 46 of them look alike. Is it possible they sexed them 100% on the money at the hatchery? I ordered all hens hoping a couple of roosters...
I used to turn the shavings over so it can dry and not mold then sprinkle new one on top.
Once they are out of the brooder just dump or compost the whole thing.
Now that mine are around 45 days old they love onions, cabbage, cheese, bread (2 slice toasts/46 chickens), cockroaches (we got 1 1/2'" long ones here), lizards but I only give them fruits and veggies that are left overs and scrap. They run around all day destroying the flora and fauna around...
Yes.
Scratch does not have the nutrients they need and will fill their stomach so they don't eat what they do need. When this small they are not much into bugs, wait a week or two. Chickens are not dogs, they do perfectly good and sometimes even better without treats.
Do not give them scratch. Unless you want them to have problems and under develop. As long as the food is clean no need to toss it. No need for grit with chick feed.
Make sure you got good air circulation without a draft. Nipple video: and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaoqsTKLvQ8&feature=related
Yes raise the lamp (easiest) and make sure you don't cook the chickens.
Start and grow is AT LEAST until they are 18-20 weeks.
If you keep the brooder indoors...
I was supposed to have 50 poulets but I expect to have a few roosters in the bunch. They are too young to be identified by looking at them (~45 days old) but I see a few of them doing what I see in cock fights (jumping at each other's chests, kicking with spurs, feathers blown up etc...) Do...
Since you asked 3 questions and gotten reply to only one of them let me share some of my choices I did not regret.
Purina Start and Grow for food: http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/Products/StartGrow/default.aspx (find a local supplier)
These kinds of bulbs for heat...
Same thing happened to me, had them on shavings they started picking at it like mad. I got concerned and put them on newspaper instead. A week later when changing news papers 3 times a day got old I said what the heck and put them back on shavings.
They went at it again but nothing ever happened...
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Same thing happened to me today. Was holding one chicken and tried to present it in a calm controlled manner to one of my dogs and she slowly opened her mouth then clamped down on the tail feathers She thought her wishes were finally being fulfilled.
I ordered one from Ireland and my month olds can use it as it is sensitive enough to open if two birds step on it. Plus it is weather proof.
I also built one from wood but gave it away since I got no dry place to put it.
For most of the time they are maintenance free if you set them up properly (automatic feeders, nipple waterers) but you gotta sit down once a day and watch them for like 10 minutes. You will see if any one of them has any issues or behavioral problems I ran into. Same as with any living thing...