*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[3goodeggs]

toss some scratch on it.

 

[kekstrom]

awww. We've got 4 buff orpingtons and they seem to be the most loving chicks we have (5 wks and 2 wks this week). When can I start doing these other snacks? They have outside times, so get grit and they have baby cake treats. I know the hen mealworm treats can't be done till 8wks.
Thx

I start doing snacks very early. If you think about it, in nature, the chicks would be eating "snacks" alongside their mothers very early on. Mine have gotten snacks, grass clippings, sod, and mealworms all by the time they were 2 weeks old. Some they haven't liked, but thats another story....

I just make sure, like you have, that they have grit available.

 

[kekstrom]

Relating to the heat---I'm in Florida and it gets a bit warm here to say the least. It has been a heat index of around 105 to 112 this past week and I'm not feeling good about my girls. My oldest Orp is 20 weeks and boy is she big and fluffy!! I have a watering bucket with a water nipple system attached so lately I take plastic bottles (16 -20oz) and fill with water then freeze. I alternate every hour putting them in the water bucket to keep their water cool. I also have a pan of water in the run that I put ice in every couple hours or change out every hour and they love to stand in it. I also have a fan in the coop but it doesn't change the temp much, just keeps the air from being so stale. I do have the advantage of being at home with them but I just ordered a mister to put on their run. I'm going out of town for two weeks and my husband can't cater to them like me because he will be working all day so that will help with the heat a bit I hope. I also buy a bag of organic frozen fruit for our smoothies and once or twice a week I'll offer it to the girls-frozen- as a treat. It helps to keep them cool and it's a bit of a task but worth it if it keeps them alive!

These are all great suggestions! We do not have a roof over our run at this time, as we are planning on building it later on in September/October before the winter hits. So at this time they only have shade from a small little roofed area in the run, and then from where they can get underneath their hen house. So I am going to keep these ideas in mind when the summer heat hits. Right now I have been spraying down their area and they just love getting underneath the water.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Check out this guy's video on how he keeps his hens cool in the Arizona heat. Really inexpensive and easy way to keep your hens cool. And you probably have something lying around that you can use for a tub.

 

[poppycock1974]

These are all great suggestions!  We do not have a roof over our run at this time, as we are planning on building it later on in September/October before the winter hits.  So at this time they only have shade from a small little roofed area in the run, and then from where they can get underneath their hen house.  So I am going to keep these ideas in mind when the summer heat hits.  Right now I have been spraying down their area and they just love getting underneath the water.

I baby these girls but I read their body temperature is 104° and if their temp gets to 114° It can be fatal. I feel so sorry for them when they're out there all day and I know I'm done after about 10 minutes

 

[mamatink7]

I start doing snacks very early.  If you think about it, in nature, the chicks would be eating "snacks" alongside their mothers very early on.  Mine have gotten snacks, grass clippings, sod, and mealworms all by the time they were 2 weeks old.  Some they haven't liked, but thats another story....    I just make sure, like you have, that they have grit available.  

thank you for reassuring me. They've gotten grit with some new things since 2wks also. Just worried about the watermelon, corn, cheese. I tried string cheese last week and they LOVED it, I held it over brooder box and they all pecked till no more
Today is 1st day out in run area and they love it

 

[sbas5561]

Help ! I picked up two buff pullets from our local feed store & I'm pretty sure one is a little cockrel instead. Here are a few pics they are about 6-8 weeks old . The one has a much more pronounced comb & wattle & he/she is already turning a dark pinkish/red. Thanks for you feedback , I have never raised any buffs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Help ! I picked up two buff pullets from our local feed store & I'm pretty sure one is a little cockrel instead. Here are a few pics they are about 6-8 weeks old . The one has a much more pronounced comb & wattle & he/she is already turning a dark pinkish/red. Thanks for you feedback , I have never raised any buffs.Does look like a Cockerel


Pullet

I think you may be right. I'm sure others will chime in, but it looks like you have a pullet and cockerel to me.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I'm seeing a cockerel in that upper image as well.

 

[kekstrom]

thank you for reassuring me. They've gotten grit with some new things since 2wks also. Just worried about the watermelon, corn, cheese. I tried string cheese last week and they LOVED it, I held it over brooder box and they all pecked till no more
Today is 1st day out in run area and they love it

You are welcome!

String cheese, never thought of that!