Chantecler Thread!

[bruceha2000]

36%?? What the heck are they feeding that to?

Post "Starter" my girls have always done well on 16%. The starter I use is 20% and the "kids" are off it at somewhere around 4 weeks since by then they are jumping in the adult birds' layer feed. Can't keep that from happening and I've not had a problem.

 

[RogerChicken]

I know! The product is labelled as a "supplement" so I think maybe it's for people that want to mix up their own.

Anyway, my math tells me that 5 scoops of 16% and 1 scoop of 36% should get me to right around 20%.

Today was the chickens first experience with thunder and lightning and rain! They all seemed to handle it well, and stayed dry as far as I can tell.

They're 7 weeks old, by my count. So far it seems like the likely-males have a much more red comb than the likely-females, along with other indicators. I'll try to get some photos posted soon.

 

[RogerChicken]

It was sunny out, so some pictures!

First, a few that seem to be presenting as male, as far as I can tell.

They've got bigger, redder combs, bigger leg shanks, and really just bigger overall in the body.

In contrast, here's some that look more like females to me:

But I'm open to alternate interpretations or other hints.

And it might just be that seven weeks is just too early to tell with these, for my current skills.


Thanks,
Roger

 

[Folly's place]

I think that you are right! In another couple of weeks, see if you are still right...
Mary

 

[RogerChicken]

Today was leg-band replacement day. A few of them were starting to look snug, so I just went ahead and replaced them all. Remarkably non-traumatic for everyone involved.

And all their feet seem to be in really good shape, so I'm happy about that.

I also noticed one of the bigger boys is having the first signs of wattles coming in.

 

[Folly's place]

FINALLY have six (all I could order!) Cackle white Chantie chicks! Just got them, and some Buckeyes and BLRWs settled in their brooder. All look good right now. May there be some Chantie pullets, and one nice cockerel in the group!
Mary

 

[RogerChicken]

Out today taking some pictures of the probable-males:

 

[Folly's place]

Nice birds!

 

[RogerChicken]

There's no more delaying it -- I've posted the assumed-males to a local buy/sell site. Listed them as free to pickup. Hope that works!

 

[RogerChicken]

And now the flock is down to 10! That was pretty easy.