Colorado

[Minchi]

I'm concerned I might have a roo.... I've only had them 2 days but the wyandotte is definitely more.... manly.  'She' seems to be the watchdog and stands up taller than the buffies and looks around very much more.  When I take them out to hold, one by one, the wyandotte actually cimbs my body for the high point (my shoulder) and then sits there cheeping for her friends. 

But what's really got me concerned is that 'she' pecks at the others beeks.  I'm not sure if she does it to both the other chicks (they are still almost identical) and I'm pretty sure that one of them (it might be the only one she pecks) pecks back.  Any thoughts?

In good news, it seems the pasty butt is mostly gone!!

Mine is my watch dog, she was always more aggressive. I tapped her on the beak when she pecked, not hard just enough to annoy her and that got it under control early.

 

[jgurshtein]

Mine is my watch dog, she was always more aggressive. I tapped her on the beak when she pecked, not hard just enough to annoy her and that got it under control early.

OOH!! Ok, so there's still hope. I will do that. But I spose it will be hard because when I put my hand in the brooder they all run away so she might not understand what she's being reprimanded for.

 

[jgurshtein]

Ok, two questions:

When can I start grinding up eggs and giving it to the chicks? (we eat a lot of eggs here)

Can I use some left over patio sand as grit?

 

[Mtn Margie]

Ok, two questions:

When can I start grinding up eggs and giving it to the chicks? (we eat a lot of eggs here)

Can I use some left over patio sand as grit?

Yes, sand is perfect. How old are they again? You can give them eggs now, but the thing with treats is that it is so fun to watch them that it is easy to get them fillled up on treats and then they won't eat a proper growth diet. Just like kids with junk food. A little goes a long way.

 

[Minchi]

OOH!!  Ok, so there's still hope.  I will do that.  But I spose it will be hard because when I put my hand in the brooder they all run away so she might not understand what she's being reprimanded for. 

I always tried to make it clear, just after she pecked me.

Ok, two questions:

When can I start grinding up eggs and giving it to the chicks? (we eat a lot of eggs here)

Can I use some left over patio sand as grit?

I gave mine scrambled eggs at a week. shells near 6 months.

 

[jgurshtein]

I always tried to make it clear, just after she pecked me.


I gave mine scrambled eggs at a week. shells near 6 months.

She's not pecking me, she's pecking a fellow chick.

 

[jgurshtein]

Yes, sand is perfect. How old are they again? You can give them eggs now, but the thing with treats is that it is so fun to watch them that it is easy to get them fillled up on treats and then they won't eat a proper growth diet. Just like kids with junk food. A little goes a long way.

I have three chicks that I got from the store on Monday. My guess is they are less than a week old. So what you're saying is.... I can't feed all my egg shells to the babies cuz they won't eat anything else... what about when I have 7? How much can a little chick eat?!

 

[Mtn Margie]

I have three chicks that I got from the store on Monday. My guess is they are less than a week old. So what you're saying is.... I can't feed all my egg shells to the babies cuz they won't eat anything else... what about when I have 7? How much can a little chick eat?!

Okay, here is a guide line. Hardly any (slim to none) treats at all until they are fully feathered ~4 - 6 weeks. No egg shells until they start laying eggs. Consider a treat to be a little piece of kale or chard. Spinach is high in oxalates, so go easy on that.

 

[dennarahl]

I have three chicks that I got from the store on Monday.  My guess is they are less than a week old.  So what you're saying is.... I can't feed all my egg shells to the babies cuz they won't eat anything else... what about when I have 7?  How much can a little chick eat?!

The egg shells have too much calcium for babies, so they shouldn't have them before 20 weeks. However, there is no reason you can't grind them up and save them for when they are able to have them.

 

[Minchi]

I have three chicks that I got from the store on Monday.  My guess is they are less than a week old.  So what you're saying is.... I can't feed all my egg shells to the babies cuz they won't eat anything else... what about when I have 7?  How much can a little chick eat?!

From what I have read the calcium is bad for them until they are laying.