Bonding and naming baby chicks

[Emily_loveschickens]

I have some very skittish baby's here and need some tips on gaining trust etc. also need name suggestions!! I'm also wondering when I can move my chicks outside for short sessions, and when can I introduce veggies?

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

I would prefer naturey names

 

[BarnyardChaos]

What kind of brooder do you have? Another poster suggested a wire-sided brooder with the access door on the SIDE, instead of over the top. The birds naturally see their world around them on their level, and instinctively view things (your hands?) hovering or diving in from above their heads as a threat. Always move slowly, no loud noises, coo and talk and cluck to them, handle them frequently, feed treats (scrambled or boiled egg, mealworms, alfalfa hay or sprouts, broccoli - to name some healthy treats for chicks) from your hand. Sit with them on the ground outside. They can go for outside trips within a few days of hatching, if it's warm. Some people brood and grow their chicks ONLY outside. It's fine, as long as they're protected and don't get wet or chilled.

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

What kind of brooder do you have? Another poster suggested a wire-sided brooder with the access door on the SIDE, instead of over the top. The birds naturally see their world around them on their level, and instinctively view things (your hands?) hovering or diving in from above their heads as a threat. Always move slowly, no loud noises, coo and talk and cluck to them, handle them frequently, feed treats (scrambled or boiled egg, mealworms, alfalfa hay or sprouts, broccoli - to name some healthy treats for chicks) from your hand. Sit with them on the ground outside. They can go for outside trips within a few days of hatching, if it's warm. Some people brood and grow their chicks ONLY outside. It's fine, as long as they're protected and don't get wet or chilled.

Ok thanks! so can they go outside on the grass

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

I have a plastic bin brooder

 

[o2bgreenntx]

My babies were calmer when picked up from underneath as opposed to going over their heads/bodies - predator style.
I got for their brooder box, a little treat ball with bell and put salad greens in it. They loved it! Got to the point they would "ring" the bell when ball was empty! They liked picking the pearls off of small chunks of cauliflower and broccoli too.
As far as names, I like: Nutmeg, Pumpkin, Storm, Willow.
Their personalities will be a good guide for you, also!

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

Cute names! They are salmon favorelles, so I want to go with names that will suit them. we were thinking blossom and buttercup, clover or lilac and Lilly

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Hmmm.... nature-based names for chicks.... Let's see if I can do this without using Google, and find names that will fit whether pullet or cockerel:
pumpkin
tater
beetle
sunshine
roadrunner
birdbrain
pepper
sprout
bubbles
cinnamon
stormy
paprika
bambi

I name mine a little differently: scramble, omelet, enchilada, barbeque, noodles, roaster, breakfast, lunch, dinner..... LOL not really. Mostly I don't name them, as I don't want them for pets. Mine make me breakfast, or dinner, depending on gender.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Cute names! They are salmon favorelles, so I want to go with names that will suit them. we were thinking blossom and buttercup, clover or lilac and Lilly

Are you sure they're all pullets?
Or.... scratch that. I guess it doesn't matter these days! LOL

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

Are you sure they're all pullets?
Or.... scratch that. I guess it doesn't matter these days! LOL

yeah They are I'm 99% sure. they are salmon favorelles so, you can tell pretty early based on color. I also only got two