2019 Newbie Chat!

[Cyprus]

I'm on the second day of my second incubation for 2019. 16 mille fleur d'Uccle eggs.

 

[llombardo]

But it’s so fun to follow along with a group in a similar stage as you!

I’m getting 20 to start, to hopefully be paired down to 15 (some are straight run and I only want 1 roo max). Buckeyes, Easter Eggers, golden comets, “hatchery choice”, and a barnvelder.

The thing about chickens is there is a thing called Chicken Math. So many people that may have had chicks last year, have chicks again this year. I'm ond of those. Still learning. I started with 4, 2 turned out to be boys, so I gor 4 more girls shortly after. Integration was an issue from the get go. Now I added 8 and they are now about 10 weeks. I have integrated the 4 from the middle group with the 8 from this group and 1 rooster from the first group.

 

[Dandelyon]

My babies (a cream Legbar, a buff Orpington, and a black Australorp) are doing well; they love scratching around the yard. The Legbar flies up to my shoulder whenever I'm near, and the Australorp wiggles her butt like she wants to jump up too but doesn't try unless I crouch down for her.

They're 16.5 weeks old now. Their faces are starting to get red. I'm so impatient for their eggs

 

[flygirl1973]

Update! Here’s my “ladies” now - I think a couple are males....and hope me calling them that doesn’t damage their self image.

Here’s my boy Carl - a mutt - husky golden mix? He’s been fantastic with the chicks since day 1. Only time he get’s in their face is if we handle them and they make alarm noises. He has to make sure they’re ok! Our other dog - she won’t go near them because she get’s in trouble every time. They’ve gotten so big! I’m still waiting to see who’s a male. These pics are from a couple weeks ago, I’ve been gone 2 weeks (hubby is home) and I’ll have to update again. They still made baby chirping noises when I left.

 

[808momof4]

Our girls are 15.5 weeks. They free range like pros now. We've seen some amazing battles with centipedes and B-52s (our giant flying cockroaches). Insect control was one of the main reasons we started our flock, and we are SO pleased. We are seeing a lot of red on faces and more fluffy butts. Only one of our girls is any sort of affectionate, and that is disappointing. They do come running for treats, though, so they don't ignore us completely. Overall, I think they are happy.

 

[808momof4]

 

[flygirl1973]

Yeah mine don’t exactly like to sit in my lap...or be held. But they do tend to follow us...cuz we give treats.