Arizona Chickens

[Sonoran Silkies]

So do I move a hen when the chicks start to hatch or before? I would think a tote tub would work with a heat lamp? Than when the chciks are all hatched and old enough do you put them back with the flock? Cotton and 3 chicks are doing well with the flock so far.

I don't like having babies in with the entire flock; especially if their mama is not a proven mama hen. The other birds (especially the other hens) can be vicious to youngsters.

Yes, a tub tote can work.

 

[pastrymama]

SS
is it possible to sex a 4 week old silkie as a boy if it is already developing a comb?????????

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

SS
is it possible to sex a 4 week old silkie as a boy if it is already developing a comb?????????

not normally, but then many silkies have smaller combs.

 

[Fuzzybird]

I don't like having babies in with the entire flock; especially if their mama is not a proven mama hen. The other birds (especially the other hens) can be vicious to youngsters.

Yes, a tub tote can work.

I have been lucky. My flock is very kind. The rooster loves the chicks and old Sage is a nanny bird taking under wing any chick I have put in with her.
You didn't answer one thing. Do I remove the hen when she starts to sit to the tub or when the chciks are starting to hatch?
About sexing young birds. My first batch of silkies are 11 weeks old now. One of them is developing a waddle. Is that a roo? It is the one chick I always thought acted like a roo. No real comb yet. No bigger than the other 11 week olds.

 

[Mahonri]

LONG work day today.

Ran up the mountain and back down. I see the knee doc on Friday for my "month after" followup... followed by a 2 hour continuing ed course downtown.

My NYD chicks are really growing. I haven't candled the 35 eggs in my Brinsea for my Ground Hog's day Hatch. All but four are purebred W/BW Ameraucanas. *(The other four are Olive Eggers (BWA X FBCM) ) Can't wait to see what I get.

I only have 7 of the 27 NYD chicks in my Laree brooder. I kept the 7 most beautiful in there, but I'll move all of them to the grow out pen this weekend to join the other 20 out there. Then I can get the Laree brooder ready for the GHD hatch.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Mama Hen Chris, the photographs are amazing, as usual.

Mikey, you teach cooking too?

Thanks G

 

[itsredcandy]

You're SUPPOSED to ramble here, Selina! That's what this thread is for!

Yes, enjoy your Chicken Zen! I say I have chickens for meat and eggs, but it's really for mental health reasons. There's no better therapy than watching chickens be chickens. Like human babies, they won't stay little for long, so enjoy them while you can!

It sounds like your one rooster-ish chick has taken the role of alpha female, and in the absence of a roo, those duties include watching for predators. I'm curious, do the other little ones follow her around?

I can't say there's absolutely no chance of your kids and chicks passing diseases, but it would be very surprising. As you said, a thorough hand washing, or at least a good squirt of antibacterial lotion, is the best prevention. Germs like E. Coli and Salmonella have a difficult time surviving in dry conditions, so keeping the brooder dry is important. As far as I know, the main way humans transfer diseases to birds is by contact with other birds - especially walking around where another flock has been, and coming home with poopy shoes. (My "farm shoes" never leave our property.)

Great, thanks for the info. The rooster-ish chick isn't followed but is much braver than the other chicks. She was getting chased today because she had a piece of strawberry and the other chicks wanted it, she ran right out of the kennel and the other chicks stopped the pursuit. She will come right up and eat out of my hand while the other will ignore my hand if it's sitting at the edge of the kennel. I will keep my eye out though.

I am getting closer to naming the chicks now that I can pretty much tell them apart now. It took a few days to figure out the differences between the ones that look alike, but now I have studied them enough to tell them apart. I love my little girls. They bring so much serenity.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Great, thanks for the info. The rooster-ish chick isn't followed but is much braver than the other chicks. She was getting chased today because she had a piece of strawberry and the other chicks wanted it, she ran right out of the kennel and the other chicks stopped the pursuit. She will come right up and eat out of my hand while the other will ignore my hand if it's sitting at the edge of the kennel. I will keep my eye out though.

I am getting closer to naming the chicks now that I can pretty much tell them apart now. It took a few days to figure out the differences between the ones that look alike, but now I have studied them enough to tell them apart. I love my little girls. They bring so much serenity.

I had 2 chicks that looked very much alike and my daughter and I painted each gals' toenails a different color to tell them apart.

 

[SherrieT]

I just saw your post. That is so gracious of you. I'll PM you my contact info and we can make possible arrangements.

Sherrie

Sherrie, if your eggs come before the bator and you can't wait, I have a spare I'm not using right now you can use if need be. I have about 17 Welsh Harlequin duck eggs going into lockdown today in my other and I swear am not hatching until I get these guys outside...

 

[Mikey D]

We need a "like" smiley.

X2!