2018 Newbie Chat!

[RidgeCreekFarm]

OH MY! The post office just called, my chickies came in!!

Congratulations!

 

[RidgeCreekFarm]

I love this thread idea! We have officially owned Chickens for 3 1/2 days! These are some pics I took last night of our little babies!

We have:
3 Speckled Sussex
3 Buff Orpingtons
3 Silverlaced Wyandottes
3 Light Brahmas

(It all started with the idea of getting just 3 chicks!)

BTW, one lesson learned so far, trough feeders are a mess. That only lasted one night. The next morning it was covered in poop and it takes up way more room then it’s worth, IMO. Switched over to 2 Eight Hole Jar and Base Feeders this morning and everyone seems happier!
Blessings!

 

[PNW_Peepers]

DH installed this today in the run to keep the girls occupied during the day. They love it, such a great addition and was so easy to make.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

DH installed this today in the run to keep the girls occupied during the day. They love it, such a great addition and was so easy to make. View attachment 1344465

I saw a thread where someone would take a clear plastic storage bin and move it around the run to make little grass patches in a portable greenhouse!
I though that was a great idea! Especially in a climate like this when there is still snow everywhere! Maybe they can get some green grass earlier.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Little’s went outside on their first “day” trip. It went marvelously!

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Meanwhile in Wisconsin...

The chickens stick their toes outside and immediately decided to go back in.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Meanwhile in Wisconsin...
View attachment 1345462

The chickens stick their toes outside and immediately decided to go back in.

Oh my gosh your poor girls, I wish I could send you a bit of my weather.

 

[RidgeCreekFarm]

Had our first run in with pasty butt today.
One of our little Brahmas had her poor little backside all clogged up. Thankfully she was a very good girl while I cleaned her up, and right when I was 90% done she passed a LONG but normal looking #2! I lubed her up with Vaseline, (and gave her Brahma sisters a dab too for good measure) and so far she seems back to normal!

I was just about to give them a little dish of sod from their future run area when we found her, but decided to swap that treat out for a mashed up HB egg yolk until I'm sure everyone's digestive systems are all okay!

The adventure continues!

Blessings!

 

[EastTexasHen]

Things on my end of east texas seem to be going pretty well! All the remaining Tractor Supply bantams have survived and are getting big! Weather allowing we go out for hour to two hour long recesses every day. The silkies are getting huge and seem to like to pal around together, except for one large one who hangs around the polish created chick. Meanwhile the mottled cochins and polish have their own little group. The polish has been named Hannibal as it is the bravest and seemingly the ringleader of the flock. His silkie friend has earned the name Face, and the two mottled cochins are B.A and Murdock. Im contemplating investing in a medium stock tank to move them into next, as they’ve outgrown their medium brooder box and their run isn’t ready yet. Here’s hoping this weather settled down some so i can get some work done on their coops.

I also made the long drive to Ideal today to pick up my order of polish chickens. They’re all home and settled in their brooder box for the night. I’m immediately surprised at the difference between these chicks compared to my tractor supply chicks. They seem happier and more energetic the the first chicks. So, with these twelve and my original seven i’m up to 19 chicks @.@ All i can think now is...why don’t i have 20??

 

[ChickenButtNuggets]

Newby here! We are getting our chicks tomorrow and my husband is picking up the bedding in the morning. There are far too many pages to completely read through and I want to know what everybody thinks is a good idea for bedding. Thanks in advance!