California - Northern

[BCollie]

Congrats on getting the eggs Deb, I LOVE that breed! I had a chance to get a hen for $100 but my money was stolen and so I wasn't able to. I hope they all hatch for you!

 

[member 142084]

i am still mesmerized they do look so unreal

 

[lawatt]

Maybe a week? Anyway, we were discussing earlier about being able to sex by the feathering pattern. It's been my experience that males get that little patch over the top of each wing earlier than pullets. I think of it as being at their shoulder.

i've been following my silver campine chicks (12 in all, of varying ages) this spring, and they seem to be quite predictable gender-wise by how quickly & how long the first wing feathers appear, and similarly the boys get those funny little patches of feathers at their shoulders. will try to photograph this evening if i can get them to slow down long enough...

 

[member 142084]

thats great! Mine are too young still. But looks like this must be a chicken thing overall. Nice way to sex the chicks without molesting the poor things.

 

[alibra]

Okay, now I am howling with laughter!  They'd be Duckens.

Or chucks

 

[caychris]

Just a question about raising lone chicks. (Not that I have that problem currently) My impression so far with just 2 BO is that they really do not like to be "alone". Is there something that can be done to comfort the young chicks. Similar to how a ticking clock supposedly comforts young puppies making the transition to being a lone dog. Or is it always best to get them a companion. If you have a broody hen I suppose its not a problem but if not ...

 

[debs_flock]

Just a question about raising lone chicks. (Not that I have that problem currently) My impression so far with just 2 BO is that they really do not like to be "alone". Is there something that can be done to comfort the young chicks. Similar to how a ticking clock supposedly comforts young puppies making the transition to being a lone dog. Or is it always best to get them a companion. If you have a broody hen I suppose its not a problem but if not ...

I usually find if they have something they can snuggle into. I use a washcloth and pull up one edge so it's tented. They can then snuggle into the open edge and it's easy to throw in the wash (for some reason chicks are NOT housebroken).

 

[TheKeeper]

Yeah, can you tell I'm excited?  And this from the person that keeps talking about down-sizing.

I wasn't going to mention I had them until I had fluffy chicks in the brooder (didn't want to jinx myself, chickens before they hatch, yada, yada), but I was too excited about getting them.  I couldn't wait another three weeks.

And now you have our collective positive thought energy to help you & your eggies. Yay!

 

[TheKeeper]

Just a question about raising lone chicks. (Not that I have that problem currently)  My impression so far with just 2 BO is that they really do not like to be "alone".  Is there something that can be done to comfort the young chicks. Similar to how a ticking clock supposedly comforts young puppies making the transition to being a lone dog. Or is it always best to get them a companion. If you have a  broody hen I suppose its not a problem but if not ...

I've used an ostrich feather duster before. I hang it from the side of the cage so the bottom of the feathers just brush the bottom. The chickens snuggle right on in there.
The ostrich feather kind can be hard to find & are more expensive but they are the best & are worth it. I buy 2-3 when I find them.

 

[BCollie]

I was soooo excited to get my baby chicks today, I was all dressed, makeup on, and ready to go several hours before I needed to be. But apparently they aren't ready(hatched) yet I think I'll just be super depressed for the rest of today. I waited nearly a month for today. Hopefully my babies will be hatched tomorrow...

In the meantime I'll just be sadly staring at the empty brooder in my room!