𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 2𝐤22 ~ Flo's Hatch-A-Long ~

[All4Eggz]

4 chicks have died in the last 48 hours.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Terrible news, folks.

Flo, after being let out for a couple hours (with the chicks), was resting in the run with the chicks under her. I thought they were all warming up, so I didn’t bother checking. I come back, and I see only THREE chicks under Flo. We’re looking everywhere.

2 are gone. Only 3 black ones left.



It must’ve been a hawk. No sign of chicks anywhere.

I’m devastated.

ETA: To add on to our worries, one of the remaining black chicks has splayed legs.

Why does this happen to me. Why.

Oh no! I'm so sorry!

 

[All4Eggz]

The 3 musketeers are doing well! Flo was teaching them how to dust bathe earlier today!

 

[All4Eggz]

My current setup.


She goes into the “Broody run” during the day, and into the crate in the coop at night

I made the “broody run” specifically for these reasons:

-breaking broody hens
-area for broody hens to raise their chicks
-sick chicken recovery “hospital”
-healing chickens
-bantam “safe space”

Being attached to the main flocks run, this mini run is very useful in many situations.

The flock can see the chickens inside the “broody run” because of some chicken wire/hardware cloth, so they can see and interact with the chickens while still being separated.

This space is also a “safe space” for my bullied bantams. When the broody run is not being used by sick, broody, or mother chickens, it’s used year round for bantams to hide into their own area when the other chooks are giving them a hard time. They enter and exit through a small whole in which only bantams and chicks can fit through.

They have a few roosts in there and even a roof to protect them from predators and weather. There is a little swing door on the outside of the run in case we want to let them out or give them some food and water.

They have some sand in there for dust bathe as well.

This is a handy design we thought of when facing difficulties with finding a safe haven for broodies and their chicks.
It served as much more than that, throughout the years.

In addition, it’s great for chicks who have been, for lack of a better word, “abandoned” by their momma. They can grow up meeting and interacting with the flock by going through the hole to interact, or going back through the hole to hide from potential bullies. When they get too big and can’t get through the hole, this is generally a perfect time to introduce them to the main flock.



Thought I’d share this in case anyone finds it helpful!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Nice setup.

 

[All4Eggz]

Flo’s doing great!
The 3 musketeers are alive and well!

Just worried about the chick with a limp.. looks like he may have curled toes. Anyone have any suggestions? I will probably make him a little “boot” or shoe to straighten out his toes.


Chicks are just over a week old today!

Handling the cold very well. We literally had snow yesterday — IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH.

That’s Massachusetts for ya.

Just shut them up for the night!

Mr. Feathered feet ^^^

Mr. Spotted beak ^^^

Mr. Curled toes ^^^






And some additional pictures:

I don’t like having favorites.. but this one has to be my favorite!! ^^

If you look closely, you may notice the Spotted beak chick is likely a rooster.. I can see VERY early bright read wattle coloring. I know it’s way too early to tell sex, but if I had to guess, I‘d guess he’s a cockerel… which is NOT a good thing .

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Nah, they all look like pullets to me, but what do I know? They don't have enough comb to be cockerels. Let's ask @EmmaRainboe. And @cherrynberry.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Meanwhile, give us some better head-on pics.

 

[All4Eggz]

Nah, they all look like pullets to me, but what do I know? They don't have enough comb to be cockerels. Let's ask @EmmaRainboe. And @cherrynberry.

There is no way to be sure of the sex at this stage of life. It's way too early. Just thought I'd point out the unusual red wattle development at just 8 days old.

 

[All4Eggz]

Meanwhile, give us some better head-on pics.

Will get more pictures tomorrow!




In the meantime, I have AMAZING news!!

We had a customer that bought hatching eggs from us, and they sent us the pictures of the newly hatched chicks... one of the chicks was a CHIPMUNK chick!! I asked if they were willing to sell it to us, and they said sure! We are going to (hopefully) pick it up this week!

Yet another chance at raising a chipmunk chick!!

About the age gap... my chicks are 8 days old today, while their chicks have just hatched yesterday. Is there any possibility at all that mamma Flo will accept this chick? I know it's very low, and I'm prepared for that, but I just really really wanted that Chipmunk chick.
Any tips? Tricks? I will do it during the night.
TIA.


Good night, everyone! I'm so happy!