California - Northern

[lawatt]

No sorry. My incubators are off.

ah well, with my luck the one egg won't hatch, anyway. or i can get some extra chicks from the feedstore if needed.
thanks!

 

[OR4-hmom]

Today is lockdown day for me. I'll candle after I get a few hours sleep and find out how the 23 are doing now.

 

[Kaylish]

I am new to chickening as well. I have 6 buff orpingtons, and 1 blue orpington rooster boy in the brooder.
One of my 6 girls is turning into a boy quickly. ever since I got the chicks, I have been Chicken obsessed.
I am looking to add to the babies already. Wanting a few light sussex or chocolate orpington girls about 3-4 weeks old. They seem very difficult to locate. any ideas?

 

[caychris]

With only 2 Buffs its really funny to see the differences in personalities and really a contrast with the Dele's

Whenever we take the slightly larger chick out of the box to play with it the other remains silent and busy's itself but if we take that one out the other chick starts crying out. Is this any indication if one is male or female? The Dele's never did this. Of course there were 4 of them and we rarely had more than 2 out of the box at one time.

Now of course as we have to shuffle them around during box cleanings at times if the wrong one is left alone in the box it might cry out but they all now to explore and fly around so I consider this more of a "why not me" and each one has a different tolerance for loneliness.

As far as moving the Dele's back outside Im going to give them a few more days in the garage since they didnt seem to understand what the "upstairs" was for and its going to be a little cold and wet over the next couple of days.

This is the coop I bought. (Costco was cheaper than this link) I will say it was very easy to put together the only real downside is that it was not easily modified to be reversed so it has to be the direction shown. Im considering making some modifications to it in order to add light to the hen house part.
http://www.landmsupply.com/departme...=google_base&gclid=CNSzje6Avb0CFcg7MgodqQcAHw

I was considering finding some solar yard lights that I could insert through the roof and seal with silicone calk. Has anyone tried something like that. They usually provide a bit of light for a while in the evening but then go out. Also considering adding a regular lightbulb to the upper back side wall to provide a little heat. (Maybe 75 watt or something smaller)

As I will be designing a new larger hen house and run the will be connected to this one are there any other considerations I should look into. Do any of you use nipple water systems? I'm considering adding a tank that will connect to my drip system to supply water this way.

My daughters have started calling the Orp's Biddy Babies and the Dele's Biggie Babies. I sure hope I can integrate the two without too much problem when the time comes. Its amazing how fast they grow.

 

[BCollie]

Do young chicks sleep more than older ones? I'm not sure how old the Marans are, but maybe you guys can tell from this picture...


They're definitely older than the Buff Polish who seem to be only a few days old, maybe 5 or 6?


I have noticed that the Marans are much more active than the Polish. They are awake more, eat more, drink more, etc. The Polish seem to spend a good amount of time sleeping, but I do still see them eat and drink, and when photographing them on a short platform they were brave enough to jump off and try to run away! So they're not acting sick...they just sleep a lot aren't aren't nearly as active as the Marans. Is this normal since they're still just itty bitty babies, or do I need to worry?

 

[chiqita]

With only 2 Buffs its really funny to see the differences in personalities and really a contrast with the Dele's Whenever we take the slightly larger chick out of the box to play with it the other remains silent and busy's itself but if we take that one out the other chick starts crying out. Is this any indication if one is male or female? The Dele's never did this. Of course there were 4 of them and we rarely had more than 2 out of the box at one time. Now of course as we have to shuffle them around during box cleanings at times if the wrong one is left alone in the box it might cry out but they all now to explore and fly around so I consider this more of a "why not me" and each one has a different tolerance for loneliness. As far as moving the Dele's back outside Im going to give them a few more days in the garage since they didnt seem to understand what the "upstairs" was for and its going to be a little cold and wet over the next couple of days. This is the coop I bought. (Costco was cheaper than this link) I will say it was very easy to put together the only real downside is that it was not easily modified to be reversed so it has to be the direction shown. Im considering making some modifications to it in order to add light to the hen house part. http://www.landmsupply.com/departme...=google_base&gclid=CNSzje6Avb0CFcg7MgodqQcAHw I was considering finding some solar yard lights that I could insert through the roof and seal with silicone calk. Has anyone tried something like that. They usually provide a bit of light for a while in the evening but then go out. Also considering adding a regular lightbulb to the upper back side wall to provide a little heat. (Maybe 75 watt or something smaller) As I will be designing a new larger hen house and run the will be connected to this one are there any other considerations I should look into. Do any of you use nipple water systems? I'm considering adding a tank that will connect to my drip system to supply water this way. My daughters have started calling the Orp's Biddy Babies and the Dele's Biggie Babies. I sure hope I can integrate the two without too much problem when the time comes. Its amazing how fast they grow.

I use nipple buckets in my coops. They still drip some but much less ick factor. Our water pipes are old so in an effort to save water wr turn the bottom off for part of the year so I dont have an auto system. I have had zero luck getting chicks to use the little ones I bought for the brooders however. Ymmv. It is also usual for chickens to have to be trained to go in the coop for about a week. Id suggest locking them in the coop part with no run acess for 4 days (maybe the upcoming rainy ones? ) to imprint on them this is home. Once they switch that in their minds they will be happy little clams.

Do young chicks sleep more than older ones? I'm not sure how old the Marans are, but maybe you guys can tell from this picture... They're definitely older than the Buff Polish who seem to be only a few days old, maybe 5 or 6? I have noticed that the Marans are much more active than the Polish. They are awake more, eat more, drink more, etc. The Polish seem to spend a good amount of time sleeping, but I do still see them eat and drink, and when photographing them on a short platform they were brave enough to jump off and try to run away! So they're not acting sick...they just sleep a lot aren't aren't nearly as active as the Marans. Is this normal since they're still just itty bitty babies, or do I need to worry?

My marans are very vigorous and often outrun everyone but the breese. As long as they have enough energy to panic if I try and reach for them I dont worry. If they don't I look for symptoms.

 

[CackleJoy]

Behind the scenes of a photoshoot with the chicks, a herding dog obsesses.

I LOVE THESE PHOTOS!

 

[caychris]

@chiqita - Thank you Ill keep that in mind. The coop doesn't have a way to lock them in at the moment though can probably come up with something. Once I have a way to ensure they will be warm enough in it Ill try locking them in at night. They were really happy to be back in their nice warm box last night so much so they didn't mind being in the smaller space. Wont last long though I'm sure. We will get them back in soon enough. The temps are dropping a little low at night though that should pass soon (and they are getting older day by day) They should be fully 5 weeks tomorrow.

 

[chiqita]

@chiqita
 - Thank you  Ill keep that in mind. The coop doesn't have a way to lock them in at the moment though can probably come up with something. Once I have a way to ensure they will be warm enough in it Ill try locking them in at night. They were really happy to be back in their nice warm box last night so much so they didn't mind being in the smaller space. Wont last long though I'm sure. We will get them back in soon enough. The temps are dropping a little low at night though that should pass soon (and they are getting older day by day) They should be fully 5 weeks tomorrow.

At 5 weeks if its not under freezing they are fine. Mind you I understand the urge to baby. My silkie chicks all still fit in my palm at 5 weeks lol. Can you open the house part from the top and cover the door with a clear Plastic thing so light still comes in? Or chicken wire or some such?
Be extra vigilant about racoons if there is no door on the coop part.

 

[caychris]

At 5 weeks if its not under freezing they are fine. Mind you I understand the urge to baby. My silkie chicks all still fit in my palm at 5 weeks lol. Can you open the house part from the top and cover the door with a clear Plastic thing so light still comes in? Or chicken wire or some such?
Be extra vigilant about racoons if there is no door on the coop part.

There is a window'd door on the side wall that opens to the outside. There is an opening to the Run on the interior wall opposite the nesting boxes (which have a locking lid) I will insert something over this to pen them in at night. When I checked the coop after it rained on Saturday it was dry inside so that was good news.
I will be adding pad locks though all the throw bolts are a pain to open. I do not know if the nesting lid locking system is coon proof but I can add a small pad lock to it. I usually do not see racoons around my area as most of the homes have dogs. (Both immediate neighbors do)

I think I'm still going to drop in the solar lawn lights if I can find one designed right so the light will be inside the coop and the solar panel on the roof. (I think I need about a half inch clearance between the top and the light ring.