2018 Newbie Chat!

[RidgeCreekFarm]

@Kirk-a-doodle-doo


You may also want to look into Sav-A-Chick Electrolytes and Probiotics just to give all your babies a boost!

 

[Kirk-a-doodle-doo]

@RidgeCreekFarm Thanks for the suggestion. I have them on Chick Boost electrolytes.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

With a very heavy heart we had to cull our crossbeak Bonsai. After spending the whole day outside watching my chickens I found our feather picking pre cannabilistic birds. Our little Bonsai wasn’t able to eat feed anymore, not even the deep liquid measuring cups filled with fermented feed were enough. With a need to fill her crop she started feather picking as it was the only way she could eat. My poor girl was suffering and her hatch mates were forced to suffer with her. She taught Wally how to feather pick so he’s in the garage until my Welsummer is fully healed. This week has been a tough one on me and my birds.

 

[Cbarr00]

@PNW_Peepers I'm so sorry!

 

[Kirk-a-doodle-doo]

@PNW_Peepers You have had a rough week. I'm sorry.

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Hi everyone,
We've been busy finishing up the coop since it warmed up. The window won't come in at the store until May 7. Still need to put the doors in. Building a coop sure takes a lot more effort than I thought it would!! Of course I've never built anything like that before so I had no idea. And all the bad weather didn't help any.

The chicks are really big now at almost 11 weeks old. They're still at my daughter BBZZZZTT's house in her coop.
I'm so sorry to read of the chicks that died, always a sad thing even when for the best.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Oh gosh, day two with Wally in the garage. Remember me saying how he had yet to crow. Looks like a trip to my garage was just what my little guy needed. Wally has been crowing for the last hour. Looks like I officially have a natural alarm clock.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Exactly two weeks ago

And today it's 85 degrees and my chickens are melting!

A short time ago I was trying to keep ice out of their water, now I'm putting it in!

They have certainly been enjoying digging out any grass that managed to sprout up in their run. Today they're enjoying a dandelion salad for lunch.

Anna is the boss lady it seems. Belle seems to be on the bottom, or at least she does the peacekeeping. If anyone is bumping chests she always runs in to separate them.
Elsa is super calm and just ignores it all.

 

[PolishChickMama]

Hello Everyone - yep, another NEWBIE!!! So glad I found this thread. I'm sure it will be fun following everyone's NEW ADVENTURES. My husband and I have 3 polish girls who are now 8 weeks old. We bought a coop online, we painted and decorated it and my husband built a base to put it on so they have a little more room. We're going to give them a good sized run outside with their coop too (still designing that - this has turned into quite a labor of love! LOL). We decided to take our chicks out of their brooder box this week and have started them in the coop (which is still in the house) 2 weeks before they actually go outside so we can hopefully get them used to it and used to going up into their roost (I think that's what it's called) at night - and letting them out around 6am each morning. Fingers crossed that when they actually go outside they'll be pros at the COOP THING. I've attached a picture of their coop and them. LOVE LOVE LOVE MY CHICKS and love seeing everyone else's as well. Keep those pics coming!!

 

[PolishChickMama]

What is everyone using as a brooder setup? After my first batch of chicks I’m doing things different this time. Just curious what you guys are using/doing?

Hi! We taped two large boxes together and hung a heat lamp above it. Worked great and since the chicks didn't know any better, they love it! lol It's not the prettiest thing ever but it served it's purpose well. Best pics I could find are attached - they're not the greatest. The exterior pic is in the background of pic #2 and pic #1 is their cozy inside abode.