Chicks arriving in 2 weeks! (Update: Finally here!)

[KensingtonHens]

I'm glad our posts helped.  I love BYC!!!        I would still get grit.  I didn't have it at first and thought the same thing about throwing plants in there but only about half were interested in the dandelion w/dirt.  The grit took care of the rest. its only $6-7 and worth it IMO.

Sounds good. I will do the grit. Also , have you heard that ground flaxseed helps with the pasty bottom?

 

[chickenmomma16]

I found some green zip ties!!!

All the babies that I'm going to keep have leg bands now. They were quite irritated by them at first. it was quite amusing, they were pecking at and pulling their own bands and the other chicks who had them. They seemed to be over it within 30min and then crashed for a nap. So cute!

 

[WashingtonWino]

Any ideas for fun chicky things to do?

So busy with the little ones!  Haha I have only had them 2 days and I can tell they are looking for something to do.  I threw a Dandelion in their pen to give them something to peck at but they want nothing to do with it. I crushed up some dried mealworms but that only lasts 2 seconds.  They found out I have been hiding shavings under the paper towels so they are trying to dig up the shavings (and eat them). Fun stuff!  

Gosh I found something today, chick football! Give one chick a meal worm and watch everyone ends try to steal it! So funny. I put a little tin full of dirt and coarse sand in the brooder, they have been busy all day scratching around in it. I hid some steel cut oats in the sand for them to find, to clear up messy butt issues. They have been hunting around finding the goodies in the sand. Six chicks trying to cram themselves in a 4 inch square box of sand is pretty funny.

 

[chickenmomma16]

Quote:

Oh yes! So fun to watch chicky football! I think I will try a pan with dirt and goodies soon. I gave up trying to cover the shavings... So exploring new bedding has kept them busy. Next week they get the whole 4 x 8 box! I may let them in it sooner, not sure yet.


Also, notice this pic I took a picture of them sleeping...

I think this means I need to remove one light. If you notice, They are huddled up directly under the one in the back which is not as hot as the one in front. (Which will be adjusted. Obviously too warm ) Should I leave both in there or just move the hot lamp up a tad and leave them both in there? There is 26 chicks in there. I do want them to feather out quickly... but not be cold. Suggestions?


Edited to add that they are in an uninstalled damp-ish barn (with no other animals) in the PNW. Our weather has been consisting of rain (big surprise) or fog with the temps ranging in the mid 50's during the day and mid 40's to high/mid 30's at night

 

[aart]

I found some green zip ties!!!

All the babies that I'm going to keep have leg bands now. They were quite irritated by them at first. it was quite amusing, they were pecking at and pulling their own bands and the other chicks who had them. They seemed to be over it within 30min and then crashed for a nap. So cute!

I had one chick tip itself right over pecking at the ziptie...pulled it's own leg right out from under it!

 

[WashingtonWino]

I had one chick tip itself right over pecking at the ziptie...pulled it's own leg right out from under it!

Hanging out at my parents house watching the Gonzaga (go bulldogs) game and this mental image made me laugh out loud. "What's so funny?" "Eh, chicken stuff". I think we might be weirdoes. I like it.

 

[WashingtonWino]

Sounds good. I will do the grit. Also , have you heard that ground flaxseed helps with the pasty bottom?

Steel cut oats cleared up my chicks in a day. Nothing but cute fluffy bottoms now!

 

[KensingtonHens]

Steel cut oats cleared up my chicks in a day. Nothing but cute fluffy bottoms now!

Thanks for the tip! I feel like I still have a lot to do. They won't be here until the 26 th, unless they tell me of an earlier ship date. Coming from Cackle, just 5 bantams. I sure hope they arrive okay! May call them and add a few more.

 

[chickenmomma16]

Update time! My babies are 1 week old now! I only lost the 3 Red leghorns and my last little girl is doing so good now. She just took a little longer to get in the groove. I found homes for all the chicks that I didn't need and I have fallen in love with the Welsummer breed and decided to not get rid of any but the 2 that a lovely fellow BYCer ordered. So I have 7 of those. 3 look like cockerels already as I had to order those straight run.

On a sad note I lost one of my RIR hens tonight. I found my Red Star just standing under the tractor shed injured. Now we will be down to 2 eggs a day so my husband said not to get rid of anymore chicks. He is tired of waiting on the chickens to eat eggs!


He made a top for the brooder and I opened up the whole 4 x 8 box now. Here is an updated picture, they were crashed after all the excitement of building the lid was over. I wish I had more time to spend with them...

Oh, something I was told that I didn't believe at first and now I do is that the chicks need A LOT less heat than I thought they did. Thought I would share that.

 

[WashingtonWino]

My ladies are 8 days old now, everyone is growing like crazy and they have the silliest little stubby tail feathers coming in.

I have two concerns, and would appreciate any thoughts,

1: My golden comet (sex linked) so far has no golden feathers! Just white. Her head is kind of gingery but her wings so far are white as can be. I hope she's not a rooster. Anyone ever raised these chickens? Do they feather out white at the outset?

2: my easter egger is developing a rather serious looking crossed beak. It started showing two days ago and appears to be getting worse. Hopefully she can work around the handicap. Can a crossed beak eventually correct itself? Of course, she's the only one I named.