1 week old and flying out the brooder already :(

[DMoody]

So, tonight I decided to sit for awhile and observe the "girls" to start to get to know their personalities. Well to my surprise one of the speckled Sussex decided I was more interesting and jumped on the waterer and then out the brooder. SURPRISE.

So plan #2 get the extra large dog crate and rig for tonight.
Chicks do the funniest things and I know who the curious one will be.

At 2 days.......

 

[Odelia]

I always put an old window screen on top of my brooder box to prevent such incidents. It works great. I can see them and they stay where they are suppose to be.

 

[Sarevan]

I use a large dog crate, (welded wire) so they are enclosed. I then wrap it with fiberglass window screen to keep curious cats from reaching and playing with the funny running cottonballs. This was a big step up from the rubbermaid container they were in. They can now run, flap, practice roosting and jump with no worry of them getting out.

I have 9 buff orpington chicks that are 2 weeks old now and starting to get "big girl" feathers. They are growing so fast and curious as heck! Big difference from the mixed flock last year. I can't even tell if they are working on pecking order or not they are so polite to each other. (so far anyway)

 

[SusanPC]

Interesting information about your Buff Orpingtons being so polite to each other. We have a mixed flock of 4 chicks around the same age as yours and the Buff Orpington chick is the calmest, most friendly chick of all. She also seems very "polite" with all the other chicks and even though she is one of the first to try new things and investigate, she isn't bossy or "pecky" like the other breeds can be sometimes. I wonder if it's the breed or just the individual personality.

 

[DMoody]

Thanks guys interesting comments, I just finished setting up the dog crate in it's real home and wrapped the bottom half to cut down on drafts. Ms Curious was not fazed a bit still jumping on the waterer and checking things out. My next question - 1 of my easter eggers has not grown a bit, the others are double her size. Luckily they don't pick on her. I have cleaned pasty butt twice, I have sat and watched her eat and drink (not as much as the others) but she eats. Should I be worried?????