25 From Welp

[3KillerBs]

Hoping they're ok...

Are you going to be able to sleep?

Yes. I am a notoriously good sleeper.

But I will go out as soon as it's light to check on them.

 

[3KillerBs]

It's a relatively cool intermittently rainy day -- not quite 70 and only going to the mid-70's. I've left the lamp on and they seem to be using it from time to time.

I made them some mash, which they love.

There seem to be a couple combs starting to pop at 2 weeks + 2 days.

 

[3KillerBs]

Pouring rain and thunder overnight. I went out with the headlamp in the dark just now to make sure everyone was OK before I go to work.

I didn't take photos because I didn't need to get my phone wet, but I found them actually under their lamp for once -- not huddled and crying, but definitely warming themselves.

It does not appear that any water has run down the ground into the brooder, but I threw down an inch or so of fresh shavings under the lamp and around the feeder and waterer just to make sure they have a perfectly dry place to be.

 

[3KillerBs]

Chicks are 3 weeks old tomorrow. I'm dumping a bunch of photos without much comment because we're having people over for my youngest son's 16th birthday party.

First, 7 suspected cockerels. I had 6 colors of band available so that works perfectly -- though having all 5 straight runs turn out male, an oops rooster, and the extra chick being male is more than I hoped for.

 

[3KillerBs]

And the girls -- less one blue who got out of my hand unphotographed because DH distracted the 15yo (16 tomorrow!), and I for a moment and she slipped my grip.

 

[BleuSaphir]

They are growing up so fine! The red to me is adorable! I think it a RIR.

 

[3KillerBs]

They are growing up so fine! The red to me is adorable! I think it a RIR.

I think it's a Speckled Sussex.

But things could change.

 

[3KillerBs]

We are 4 weeks old today but I forgot to take my phone down to the brooder this morning.

Looking at their feathers and the forecast temperatures tonight or tomorrow will be their last day on heat at night and on Thursday, when I'm off, I will move them into the integration pen in Neuchickenstein. Then, sometime next week, I'll put in the panic doors and see how it goes.

The brooder has been within sight and sound of the coop since week 2 and I've gotten the electric fence situation sorted out so the adults are now roaming around just outside the brooder with the vent open so everyone can see everyone else.

 

[3KillerBs]

It was in the mid-40's this morning and they actually were under the lamp when I refilled their water before work.

I unplugged it -- because it's going to push 80 this afternoon. They have feathers and will have to cope.

Nights will only be down to about 60 the rest of the week so tomorrow will be a good time to move them into their integration pen in Neuchickenstein.

 

[3KillerBs]

We are officially off-heat and undergoing integration. The pen is not actually as rickety as it looks.

I don't have room for 2 feeders and 2 waterers in this contraption, but it's only a week until I re-rig it with access to the general coop and chick-only safe zones.

I had way too much feathered assistance while setting it up. In particular, I kept tripping over Ludwig and the Cochins.