I just wanted to give an update on the five I hatched out at the end of the year! Side note, all five are doing great!!
Week one, I made the mistake of keeping their brooding bin next to where I slept. Cleaned it daily. Checked butts daily. Washed feet whenever there was poo.
Week two, I rolled over and heard cheeping. Woke up. Found all five had escaped the bin to try and sleep under me. I wish I had pictures. In the future, I need a taller bin.
Week three. They no longer stay in the brooder. I gave up and switched course to see just how people friendly I could make them. They slept on me each night.
Week four. Same as week three, except I took a barred rock hen inside that was getting pushed around. Cleaned her up, let her hangout inside for the day and noticed her calling nonstop to the chicks. She has not laid since I got her. She was not and is not broody. This escalated to tidbitting food everywhere. I let her slowly meet them. She promptly stole them and sat on them. Then pecked me for good measure when I went to take one.
Week five. I've pawned the chicks off onto Not-The-Momma at night. The chicks follow me during the day (I think Not-The-Momma is finally coming to terms with this.) I let Not-The-Momma teach them how to scratch, how to be polite, etc.
Week six. Current. I'm currently typing this with five chicks in my lap. They're feathered out, two have big ol' combs and wattles. Also short tails. I'm suspicious. They're also trying to help me type this.
Week one, I made the mistake of keeping their brooding bin next to where I slept. Cleaned it daily. Checked butts daily. Washed feet whenever there was poo.
Week two, I rolled over and heard cheeping. Woke up. Found all five had escaped the bin to try and sleep under me. I wish I had pictures. In the future, I need a taller bin.
Week three. They no longer stay in the brooder. I gave up and switched course to see just how people friendly I could make them. They slept on me each night.
Week four. Same as week three, except I took a barred rock hen inside that was getting pushed around. Cleaned her up, let her hangout inside for the day and noticed her calling nonstop to the chicks. She has not laid since I got her. She was not and is not broody. This escalated to tidbitting food everywhere. I let her slowly meet them. She promptly stole them and sat on them. Then pecked me for good measure when I went to take one.
Week five. I've pawned the chicks off onto Not-The-Momma at night. The chicks follow me during the day (I think Not-The-Momma is finally coming to terms with this.) I let Not-The-Momma teach them how to scratch, how to be polite, etc.
Week six. Current. I'm currently typing this with five chicks in my lap. They're feathered out, two have big ol' combs and wattles. Also short tails. I'm suspicious. They're also trying to help me type this.
