4th Annual BYC NYD Hatch-a-long

[mommaclucker]

a couple of my barred rocks have pipped and I can hear little peeps this egg hatching can get really addicting lol Im either gonna have to start giving chicks away soon or have the DH start on a much bigger coop.

I have a question for anyone who hatches silkie chicks I have one that is about 1/4 the size of the rest of the chicks he/she hatched with. I call him GIMP Stanley he was a little smaller then the others and hatched last. I had to help him eat and drink the first few days he was really unsteady on his feet but other then being small he looks fine knocks the other chicks out of the way to eat he is getting his feathers they all hatched out oct 31 and nov 1st he is just now about the size of an average size day old chick. I guess my question is if this is something normal to have a chick so much smaller then the rest ? sorry for all the questions

 

[Coffeemama7]

Thanks mammaclucker!
I am just worried that the tarp might touch the brooder lamps and melt or catch on fire. The brooder lamps are clipped onto pipe clamps spanning the top of the troughs. yes, very temporary!

My hubby built an indoor kitten condo several years ago in the garage, and IF I could get him to dismantle that, maybe I'd get him to build a small brooder, but I'm not holding my breath! LOL!
He built me a duck pen and house, a chicken coop with nest boxes and 24'x24' outside covered chicken run, so I guess I have been spoiled enough this year!

 

[mommaclucker]

Thanks mammaclucker!
I am just worried that the tarp might touch the brooder lamps and melt or catch on fire. The brooder lamps are clipped onto pipe clamps spanning the top of the troughs. yes, very temporary!

My hubby built an indoor kitten condo several years ago in the garage, and IF I could get him to dismantle that, maybe I'd get him to build a small brooder, but I'm not holding my breath! LOL!
He built me a duck pen and house, a chicken coop with nest boxes and 24'x24' outside covered chicken run, so I guess I have been spoiled enough this year!

Lol My hubby has gotten off lucky then with just a coop and a small run and the brooder try leaving them in the house the first couple of days after they hatch thats how I got my brooder in the garage so fast might have your hubby ready to build you that brooder

 

[Coffeemama7]

Lol My hubby has gotten off lucky then with just a coop and a small run and the brooder try leaving them in the house the first couple of days after they hatch thats how I got my brooder in the garage so fast might have your hubby ready to build you that brooder

We are Busting up!!! I couldn't leave them in the house, the dogs might eat them! He says, "they could always go in the shower like you did the first time!"

 

[CluckyCharms]

a couple of my barred rocks have pipped and I can hear little peeps WOOHOO yay! this egg hatching can get really addicting tell me about it! lol Im either gonna have to start giving chicks away soon or have the DH start on a much bigger coop. Ditto.

I have a question for anyone who hatches silkie chicks I have one that is about 1/4 the size of the rest of the chicks he/she hatched with. Same here.I call him GIMP Stanley Hiccup Giddyup is ours.he was a little smaller then the others and hatched last. same I had to help him eat and drink the first few days he was really unsteady on his feet but other then being small he looks fine knocks the other chicks out of the way to eat he is getting his feathers they all hatched out oct 31 and nov 1st he is just now about the size of an average size day old chick. I guess my question is if this is something normal to have a chick so much smaller then the rest ? sorry for all the questions

I have absolutely no idea, but ours is the same way. That being said, these were the *tiniest* Silkie eggs I've ever seen in my life...only slightly bigger than robin eggs, and the two Silkies that actually hatched from them were no bigger than walnuts with a head. I would think the size of the egg itself would have something to do with the size of the chick inside, and the size of the parents that brought forth that chick, and the size of their parents, etc. Was her egg smaller than her siblings or the same size? That's basically a curiosity question, because I wouldn't know the answer to either "smaller" or "same" but I'm sure someone else will. I think it has more to do with their parents though...what size they were, etc. Do you know if you hatched out any eggs from the same exact hen and roo pairing? If so...what size was that one?

 

[mommaclucker]

The egg was a but smaller then the others but not by much and she had all the eggs marked and I do believe there were 3 others that had the same marking that hatched not sure if they were from the same parents or not though he is the cutest little thing and very bossy for his small size the larger chicks get nothing on him lol Ive tried my best to talk the hubby into letting me keep him and his buddy in the house but no such luck his comment is its a chicken not a pet boy is he wrong lol I truly believe he thinks ive lost my mind

 

[mommaclucker]

We are Busting up!!! I couldn't leave them in the house, the dogs might eat them! He says, "they could always go in the shower like you did the first time!"

hmm never thought of the shower easier clean up lol My boxer and I have an understanding she knows not to bother the chickens or she cant eat any of there food crazy dog loves the layer crumble she always goes in the coop when I feed the girls and has a nibble or two with them I dont guess it will hurt her hasnt yet anyway

 

[TMNfarm]

My dogs LOVE the chicken food... I always thought it was weird... They love the horse grain too!

 

[Coffeemama7]

hmm never thought of the shower easier clean up lol My boxer and I have an understanding she knows not to bother the chickens or she cant eat any of there food crazy dog loves the layer crumble she always goes in the coop when I feed the girls and has a nibble or two with them I dont guess it will hurt her hasnt yet anyway

Yes, the shower was a great plan! Hung the lights, put duck tape over the floor drain, put down shavings, put the sliding doors closed. Everything was fine, then our daughter's dachshund pushed the door open and killed them all! OMG! what a mess! I cried all night!
We tried again, and this time put up a baby gate in front of the doors. Worked great!
But in the winter we really need that shower when we come in from barn chores! oh, well, troughs will have to do!

 

[mommaclucker]

My dogs LOVE the chicken food... I always thought it was weird... They love the horse grain too!

Well Im glad my girl isnt the only one lol I also thought it was weird. she will almost knock me down to get into the chicken run at feeding time the girls dont seem to care they actually look excited to see her.