Babies arrived

[mo2872]

Hmm, didn't think about that. It's due a cleaning already, so I'll swap to towels for now.

Another question for the gurus out there:

HOLY COW, are they all so MESSY when they eat? 95% of their crumbles are just getting beaked or scratched out of the feeder and on to the floor!

The remaining 14 were ALL passed out when I went to check on them a bit ago. They pretty much just faceplant where they want. Watched them for a while, to make sure they were all breathing.

 

[red horse ranch]

Sometimes the crumbles are so big that the chicks keep digging for smaller bits to eat. When I get a bag of feed like that I will use my coffee grinder to make it a little finer. Also I don't fill the feeder all the way. In the beginning I won't even use the jar on top. It just gives them more feed to pull out.

 

[mo2872]

Ha, that's brilliant, Red......thanks!

Little turds pulled almost a full container out yesterday......we'll fix that!

 

[azygous]

Nix that idea of shaving their butt down! It will increase the attraction of picking at each others butts, and injuries could occur. Pasty butt won't be a problem in a few more days.

Also, if your chicks are racing away from you scared when you try to pick them up, it's because they have an instinctual fear of anything approaching them from above. Try reaching in down low and sideways and take it slowly. Lay your hand on the brooder floor until they begin approaching it, then slide it up against their toes. They will step onto your hand and you can then lift them up.

 

[mo2872]

Nix that idea of shaving their butt down! It will increase the attraction of picking at each others butts, and injuries could occur. Pasty butt won't be a problem in a few more days.

Also, if your chicks are racing away from you scared when you try to pick them up, it's because they have an instinctual fear of anything approaching them from above. Try reaching in down low and sideways and take it slowly. Lay your hand on the brooder floor until they begin approaching it, then slide it up against their toes. They will step onto your hand and you can then lift them up.

Will do, on the nixing of the shaving. Thought I'd read that somewhere. But, it does seem to be slowing down some, with fewer of them needing "cleaned" up after.

No issues picking them up, especially the Eggers......those chicks are MEEEEELLLLOOOOWWWW....will fall asleep in our hands.

 

[RedNewcomer]

Mo2872, I have to say, I would sure like to meet you. Your joy from the chicks and the shear passion you have already put forth towards them is encouraging for all. Be careful tho, there are addicting.

 

[mo2872]

One week in, and we've only lost the one. Everyone else seems to be thriving. RIR's are growing quite quickly, the others seem to be more "normal" paced growth. Feathers are coming in on all of their wings, and some of their tails. I built them a make-shift roost to perch on out of 1x2. Fairly simple little thing, but they seem to enjoy it.

The trick of only filling the base of the feeder seems to have slowed down their mess-making some. Perhaps it's just perceived as less mess, since there is less feed, but hey, whatever works, yes? LOL.

Started putting a top over the brooder, as they're getting airborne now, too. Jumping mostly, but when they flap AND jump, they're getting some good air! Michael Jordan would be impressed. So, on with some hardware cloth cover! Just in case for now, and it sure doesn't hurt them to get used to it being there.

They're also getting harder to catch! I thought they were fast last week......... I would have thought they would get used to us picking them up, etc, and maybe be calmer......nope. Scream bloody murder when we get them snared. All except the Eggers, those three are STILL docile and calm once in hand. Our boys have named them Egger, Fuzzball, and Chewbacca(solid brown bird).

Would love to get a warm enough day to move them out on the grass for a while, but I suppose I'd have to pre-feed them some grit first, yes?

 

[mo2872]

Thought I'd share some pics.......

One of the Buff Orps passed out in our oldest boys hand:


Our brooder setup, prior to chick arrival with pine, now using towels:


And the "Trainer Roost"(with messy towels....):

 

[HoneyNestAcres]

Love your enthusiasm! It's so sincere! Also your brooder and perch looks amazing. So happy all your chicks are doing great!!! Very encouraging! Just picked mine up about an hour ago and they're already showing their colors. Lots of personality in this bunch! Haha

Keep up the good work and the keep posting pics I love seeing everyone's set ups and their babes

 

[mo2872]

So the fuzzy creatures are getting huge already. Our three RIR's are the biggest. Two of them have no tail feathers coming in yet........sign of roosters?? 1 has tails, and all the other breeds already have tails.......newbie here, so.....if it doesn't mean bupkiss, then say so.....LOL.

Observances at a week and a half:

The EE's are still the most laid back.......at least once you catch them. One of them, "Fuzzbutt", will step into your hand, hunker down, and go to sleep. The other two, "Egger", and "Chewbacca"(solid brown ball of down), will remain calm while you hold them, but crane their necks to watch their kin in the brooder.

Next up, the BO's......two of them are extremely docile, and content to sit in your hand. One of those has an issue with it's right eyelid. It's almost always closed when we hold it, but does not appear to be injured in any way. Left eye stays open, unless she's asleep. Seems to be able to see just fine out of that eye, as she will peck at things to that side. ????
They are also starting to change from yellow chicks, to that AWESOME BO bronzey/tan/coppery/orangey buff color. So remarkable to see how fast they change.

Barred Rocks......speedy, jumpy, wiggly, elusive little turkeys. Errrr......chickens. Not bad once you get them calmed in your hand, but flakey until then.

RIR's, see first sentences.

LOTS of them are getting little combs already. Pretty exciting to see them start to grow.

Happy Birthday, Flock! You're now two weeks old!