some of my chicks have tiny little combs, and some don't really. The eldest are only like 9-10 days old but even the 4-5 day old chicks have them. Like one has a more pronounced comb then its companion of the same age and breed. Is this any indication of sex or just some growing faster than others?
Rooster chicks combs will appear larger in the single combed breeds and wider in the pea comb breeds you have. At around 3-4 weeks old the roosters combs will also turn pink and the pullets combs will stay tan or with the brown chicks from me, a brown color.
Rooster chicks combs will appear larger in the single combed breeds and wider in the pea comb breeds you have. At around 3-4 weeks old the roosters combs will also turn pink and the pullets combs will stay tan or with the brown chicks from me, a brown color.
Hmm. Well I can't really see much of anything on Ellie and Emma (the ameraucanas) but that's prob cuz they have pea combs? But like we have a pair of orpingtons and while you can see these itty bitty baby combs one of the chicks is quite a bit larger. Same thing with our pair of olive eggers. But on the sexed chicks from the hatchery (2 Wyandottes and a brahma) their combs are barely there if at all yet.
Nikon...Not sure if he is a Delaware...the markings look almost brown....but regardless my Delaware girls would agree that he is a handsome guy
Here are some pics of my former sheep house, future brooder/coop. The structure is nearly 6 feet deep and is 7.5 feet wide. The run portion is as wide and about two feet deeper than the structure. So totaled up it is 14x14 or 196 sq feet and plenty of room for between 30 and 40 chicks.
When they have all gone to their new homes this will be home to my new roo...son of Ray... and 6 or 7 of his own girls.
North side. The triangle of space is currently filled with wide gauge fencing wire. The area filled with brush in the lower portion of the pic will be cleared and that will become additional run space. The run has the same wire as the triangle that will be lined or replaced with hardware cloth
Front faces west. I have to put hardware cloth from the top edge of the floor and extend it across the space you see and attach it to the front supports of the structure to keep chicks from going under and predators from coming through. Also need to put some roosts in there and eventually nest boxes. Obviously we need a door going into the coop portion and some wind block for the lower half of the West facing coop wall
This is the South Side...there is a tiny...like 18 inch wide gate there between the run and the structure. It is made from cattle panel so needs to be faced with hardware cloth.
So, any further recommendations for making this suitable for 3 week old chicks by the middle of May and for adults in the future.
It is short and will be a pain to clean. Eventually we will put a door in the back but till then I will have to clean it on my hands and knees. I think I want to use sand and that should make it easier.
Ah don't tell me that. Must....not....buy...more....chickens! Almost came home with some of miss Molly's frizzle Cochins. Chicks are like shoes! So many but you love them all!
