Against the odds hatching thread (with pictures and questions)

[K0k0shka]

I would not.
They might not dunk their heads but wattles are sure to get dipped,
and they could also walk into it for wet feet.

Course they will likely nosh on the snow banks and get their wattles wet that way too. SMH.

I'll reconsider the outdoor waterer then. If I do end up getting a heated one, it will be narrow and raised so they can't step in it or get too much of their face in the water. We don't really get much snow anymore, so I'm not too worried about that. Plus I'm thinking of covering some of the run with plastic sheets, to keep snow from blowing in. Whether I can keep the run covered on top or not, remains to be seen... The town's Building Department can't agree on whether I'm allowed to have a roof on the run or not. I find out this Thursday (that's the date for my appeals hearing with the town... after the whole drama with the a-hole neighbors... keep your fingers crossed!)

 

[aart]

Getting them used to the nipple waterer takes time and can be frightening......
....but it's really worth it.
They don't need water both in coop and run, mine never have needed that, they come in to eat and drink

 

[Flockincrazy]

Mine is open i keep Vaseline on my flocks combs and waddled during the winter that way if they get wet it doesn't chap or get frostbite

 

[K0k0shka]

The last of my boys, the Red Partridge Orpington - the family favorite, the mascot of the flock, the comic relief, the curious and smart one, the most patient and friendly cuddle buddy, the neverending source of entertainment and overall best chicken in the world, started crowing yesterday and ended his time with us We are all heartbroken, but happy that we were able to find him a nice home on a farm nearby (with the woman who lent me her incubator to hatch him and his brood-mates), so we won't have to eat him. We'll be able to visit him and stay in touch. So, it's a bitter-sweet ending to that story. He'd just turned 5 months old, and was still as sweet as ever. I drew his portrait to immortalize him (my profile image), and had it printed on t-shirts for the whole family

 

[aart]

Neat illustration!

 

[K0k0shka]

Neat illustration!

Thanks!

 

[My2butterflies]

I think your picture captures him well Glad you will still get to see him now and then.

 

[K0k0shka]

I think your picture captures him well Glad you will still get to see him now and then.

Thanks! The kids are very excited that we'll be able to visit him. In fact, we were invited to visit this coming weekend!

 

[K0k0shka]

My boy, enjoying his new home. We’ve gone to visit him twice so far. My friend hasn’t integrated him yet, so he lives in a tractor by himself for now, but gets to free range with two girls for a while every day, where he can see the flock through their run fence and have crowing matches with the (elderly) resident rooster. Our boy seems to remember us, comes over and lets us pick him up and cuddle him, too. His new owner works with schools and the community through her farm, and is using him as an educational animal with kids, because he’s so sweet and tame and lets them cuddle him (unlike her other chickens). She said there was some event there last week, and there’s a picture of a child holding him that made it into the local paper! I’ll need to find myself a copy now. I’m so happy with how this turned out!

 

[My2butterflies]

Awe! That’s so good to hear! He is a very loved boy