Against the odds hatching thread (with pictures and questions)

[NewBoots]

Amazing how fast they grow isn't it?

 

[K0k0shka]

Amazing how fast they grow isn't it?

Too fast!

 

[K0k0shka]

Two weeks old and enjoying their first piece of outside.

The last piece I need in order to finish the coop arrives on Friday, so either Friday or Saturday will be The Big Move. I’ll miss having them in the house, but they need more space. I was very surprised by how they’ve been neither dusty nor smelly so far. They kick sand out when they dust bathe, but there’s no general dustiness and no bad smell at all. No concrete toes from the sand. I really love the sand!

 

[NewBoots]

Too fast!

I swear putting them outside has ours pushing out feathers twice as fast.

3 week old Natasha, she's 4 weeks now and even bigger and featherier

Amelia at 1 week

Amelia at 2 weeks

 

[K0k0shka]

I swear putting them outside has ours pushing out feathers twice as fast. View attachment 2122809
3 week old Natasha, she's 4 weeks now and even bigger and featherier


View attachment 2122814
Amelia at 1 week


View attachment 2122816
Amelia at 2 weeks

Noooo! I want to keep them inside so they can stay babies longer then I should’ve built a bigger brooder... This is twice the number of chicks I expected to hatch though, so had there been fewer, I would’ve kept them inside longer. They’re getting really crammed now though.

I love your names! I haven’t named mine yet. Playing the delicate game of bonding but not bonding... until I know which ones are roosters and will be eaten

 

[K0k0shka]

I handle all of them and they’re growing under the same conditions, but I’m already noticing a difference in friendliness between the two breeds. Both are described as docile and people-friendly, but the Orpingtons are a LOT more so than the Barnevelders. The Barnevelders complain when picked up and try to get away, then accept their fate and just tolerate it for a bit, before flapping away. The Orpingtons, on the other hand, complain minimally only in the process of being picked up, but once I put their feet down in my hand, they are content to be there and will stay, without me holding them down (unlike the Barnevelders, who need to be held in place). Some will sit down, get comfortable and just stay there, refusing to get off even when I try to tilt/shake them off Others will get inquisitive and start pecking at buttons, zippers, hair and freckles, and yet others will start climbing and exploring my arms and shoulders. None of the Barnevelders do that. Oh well... I only got them because they were pretty anyway. If I ever get more chickens, I’ll stick with Orpingtons. I love them!

 

[NewBoots]

That's our Amelia, she's the only orpington we have and she's our calmest, friendliest pullet. The 2 amberlinks are nearly as friendly. The swedish flower hens are all friendly enough but I've had to check them so often for poopy butt that they try to avoid being caught.

 

[K0k0shka]

My firstborn

 

[K0k0shka]

My kids, ages 6 and 4, drew some pictures as housewarming presents for the chicks, for their upcoming big move. I framed them, and we’ll hang them in the coop

 

[NewBoots]

Love those! I want to hang some on my coop as well, but I want to get electricity so I can hang a cool chandelier! My girls deserve it!