7 Week Old Status Report

[olinr]

Hi All,

My chicks are now seven weeks old. I turned off the heat lamp last night. I have had it
set for coming on at night only for two weeks. Our nights have been below freezing,
so I have been a little cautious.

Seven week old Buff Orps and RIR's.

I have been letting them out to run in the pen. They love the sand baths! I tried some Broccoli
today. They had fun chasing each other, but they would not feed from me. What do they
like for hand feeding?

I was a little bent out of shape with McMurray on substituting my order! They did not notify me
of the change and refunded my money. Now, I feel embarrassed to see the refund on my CC.
I figured out what they did:

I ordered 25 standard run of RIR. McMurray sent me 11 RIR pullet chicks (they must have run
out of cockerels) and a run of Buff Orpingtons; about half are roosters. This is fine with me.
The Orpingtons are a new breed for me. I see that the Orps are a little larger, more friendly
and curious than the RIR's. Also, I have noticed that they are being so calm and there is no
pecking, even with the close quarters. My experience with White Leghorns is just the
opposite. What fun!

It is going to be hard to cull out the surplus, but it will have to be done.

My next project is to build the nest boxes and change the roosts to match.

My best,

Dick.
Phelan, CA

 

[Mahonri]

That's a beautiful flock.

I'd keep at the best orp roo if I were you. I can imagine that a Orp X RIR would be pretty... and Buff orps will go broody once in a while. You should be getting alot of LARGE brown eggs in another 14 weeks!

 

[BellLisamo]

how fun! cute chickies you have there!! 7 weeks!! wow!! i cant wait til mine are older.

 

[nicodemuschickenfan]

What good looking chickies you have. Mine love to eat out of my hand. I have RIR's myself. I feed them millet as a treat. Though this is a very small amount. I have yet to give them any veggies as our fridge has none. Yes, I know; I'll be dead at twenty five of a cookie overdose but I don't care. It's worth it to me. Other then that I seem to have no problem at all feeding them ordinary chick crumbles whenever it suits me. How often did you interact with them when they were younger?

 

[olinr]

Quote:
Hey, I love Hot Fudge Sundaes! After all these years, the health nuts think chocolate is good for you and dark at that!

I have not had the time to play with them. Only when I check the water and feed in the am & pm, would I talk to them and once in a while, I would pick one up. I noticed that when I did this today, the roos would try to offer some resistance. But they settled down in my hands. They love to come up to me and peck at my shoes.

Oh yes, to answer Mahonri; I have planned to keep an Orp roo. They look beautiful and it should be able to protect the flock.

Thanks for your comments,

Dick.

Phelan, CA

 

[cmom]

Sit with them for awhile with something in your hand. They will eventually come over and investigate.

 

[Omran]

They look very healthy and happy, great flock and a lot of fun