Colorado

[cosbackyard]

Well, that was a disappointing 'snowfall'. Barely qualifies as a frost.

Agreed. I was hoping for more, though it's sort of snowing out there right now. Maybe we'll get some accumulation during the day.

 

[jenhenny]

My almost one week old girls are out in our garage too. I was worried about them last night it got so cold but wouldn't you know this morning they are running around in their brooder not even under the heat light! And it was chilly in there! It seems even from all I've learned about chicks they still have lots to teach me

 

[BlueJaye]

Happy "Blizzard" everyone! Seems like no one really got much snow!

I just picked up my chicks last night and had to share with people who understand why I'm so excited! Since they are straightrun, I got 3 Mille Fleur D'Uccles, 3 Buff Silkies, 2 Blue Cochin Bantams, and my GIANT (ok, so maybe only giant compared to the little D'Uccles) Araucana pullet! They all seem to be loving their brooder box with a nice infrared heat lamp (with dimmer - SO handy). All three D'Uccles had Pasty Butts this morning, and one of the Cochins. But I got them cleaned up with only minor complaints. They are all so fuzzy and cute and amazing and... AHHH!!!

So, since I have 1 day of experience, I have a couple questions...

1. As soon as I got them out of their box, they started eating their pine shavings, so I put paper towels over the whole thing, and they seem okay with that.How long should I keep the bedding covered with the paper towels?
2. I heard that after cleaning off pasty butts, you should dab petroleum jelly or olive oil on their cute little butts. Any other ideas on how to help prevent "the pasties"?
3. I have heard that since Araucanas have the dreaded "tuft gene" and hard to raise without them dying... the store I got her from said they order from McMurray's Hatchery, so I'm not sure whether she's a true Araucana that I need to be worried about or not... advice?

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to share stories and pictures like the rest of you!

 

[P-Funk]

I hear so many conflicting things about turkey hardiness. On the one hand I'd expect more hardiness from heritage breeds, but I've also read that they still seem to look for ways to die. Ours have gotten attached to one of our two goslings for some reason, they all pile up on it.

All the turkeys around here are wild. They eat the same scratch grain the girls do, so they have their own bucket full on the back porch. Every morning I throw out a few cups and then they hang out all day eating whatever the birds drop from their feeders. They're like the roosters I never had IE: waking me up first thing in the morning. It's comforting to know they can survive through weather like this sleeping in the trees They make my girls look like spoiled rotten little brats

 

[jime]

Hello BlueJaye.
Welcome to the new world of chickens, now you probably a bit nervous but later on you will be so confortable and enjoying so much that you will add more to the math.
I am not expert but my I was a beginner once as well (year ago).
1.I use train pads for puppies until they are around 2-3 weeks, no shavings under , then I add the shaving and still put the pads under the water and the food dishes helps lots with cleaning.
2.If I get a pasty butt I clean with warm water and then put some olive oil around the butt, if they are to fuzzy there I cut a bit their fuzz.
Normally pasty butts is due to stress change of temperature and new environment, I give them some keffir or plain yogurt to help with the good bacteria. If it's really bad (many days) I will put some melasa in their water and will clean them up.What I do too is give them water with the ACV (one with the mother)1 tbs per gallon. I do this when they are 2 weeks old some people do it when they re day old but I am a bit scare.
I can't help with # 3.

 

[gardendufus]

Well my chicks have been out in the coop since the day I picked them up (2 1/2 weeks ago). I did put a heat lamp in there, but for the last week or so they haven't been hanging out under it at all during the day just to sleep at night. Today, however, they are more attached to it. They have been running around out in the run ever since the last warm up, and actually seem a little upset today that I locked them inside. I have it set up so the big girls can't get to their side of the coop or run, but they can get through the fencing to explore the big girls side and yet run like the dickens and escape to their own side if the big girls start threatening. Hoping this setup will shorten the integration period.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Happy "Blizzard" everyone! Seems like no one really got much snow!

I just picked up my chicks last night and had to share with people who understand why I'm so excited! Since they are straightrun, I got 3 Mille Fleur D'Uccles, 3 Buff Silkies, 2 Blue Cochin Bantams, and my GIANT (ok, so maybe only giant compared to the little D'Uccles) Araucana pullet! They all seem to be loving their brooder box with a nice infrared heat lamp (with dimmer - SO handy). All three D'Uccles had Pasty Butts this morning, and one of the Cochins. But I got them cleaned up with only minor complaints. They are all so fuzzy and cute and amazing and... AHHH!!!

So, since I have 1 day of experience, I have a couple questions...

1. As soon as I got them out of their box, they started eating their pine shavings, so I put paper towels over the whole thing, and they seem okay with that.How long should I keep the bedding covered with the paper towels?
2. I heard that after cleaning off pasty butts, you should dab petroleum jelly or olive oil on their cute little butts. Any other ideas on how to help prevent "the pasties"?
3. I have heard that since Araucanas have the dreaded "tuft gene" and hard to raise without them dying... the store I got her from said they order from McMurray's Hatchery, so I'm not sure whether she's a true Araucana that I need to be worried about or not... advice?

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to share stories and pictures like the rest of you!

Congratulations on the new chickies!!!!!

Paper towels just for a few days will be fine.
Yogurt or probiotics works wonders. Also, some folks use ACV -( with the mother, like Braggs) and molasses in the water.
Chances are your Araucanas are more EE's than anything else. Your chick will have no issues. The fatal gene kills them in the egg.
( I believe that is the case.)
Enjoy chick TV!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

BlueJaye-
1- I usually keep them on paper towels for 5-7 days, depending. After that it just gets too messy, you would have to change the towels twice a day depending on your square foot to chick number ratio.

2- I use olive oil. It's cheap and seems to help.

3- if they are from McMurray it is an Easter Egger. They have good stock from what I here.

 

[suncatcher]

It is a balmy 19 degrees on the north western side of Pikes Peak! Not sure if we are getting snow or it is blowing snow?? Sun came out later this morning, but is still cloudy!

Tied everything down last night, so here is hoping it stays put!! If not, well, I guess we can take a walk and see if it is caught on the fence!

I agree that if your order is from McMurry they are EE's, so relax and enjoy chick watching. It really can become addictive, before you know it, one hour has passed and you are still watching! lol Congrats on your little ones!

Wendel, There is a mill near West Cliff (I think) that sells logs with the bark still on them. Will find out where exactly, and let you know. They have good prices.

Hope everyone is staying warm!

 

[Kitty990]

Happy "Blizzard" everyone! Seems like no one really got much snow!

I just picked up my chicks last night and had to share with people who understand why I'm so excited! Since they are straightrun, I got 3 Mille Fleur D'Uccles, 3 Buff Silkies, 2 Blue Cochin Bantams, and my GIANT (ok, so maybe only giant compared to the little D'Uccles) Araucana pullet! They all seem to be loving their brooder box with a nice infrared heat lamp (with dimmer - SO handy). All three D'Uccles had Pasty Butts this morning, and one of the Cochins. But I got them cleaned up with only minor complaints. They are all so fuzzy and cute and amazing and... AHHH!!!

So, since I have 1 day of experience, I have a couple questions...

1. As soon as I got them out of their box, they started eating their pine shavings, so I put paper towels over the whole thing, and they seem okay with that.How long should I keep the bedding covered with the paper towels?
2. I heard that after cleaning off pasty butts, you should dab petroleum jelly or olive oil on their cute little butts. Any other ideas on how to help prevent "the pasties"?
3. I have heard that since Araucanas have the dreaded "tuft gene" and hard to raise without them dying... the store I got her from said they order from McMurray's Hatchery, so I'm not sure whether she's a true Araucana that I need to be worried about or not... advice?

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to share stories and pictures like the rest of you!

to answer #3, at the feed store did their label say Araucanas or Araucanas/Ameraucana?

you can post your pictures on the breed threads maybe they can help but this thread might help too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/463817/easter-egger-sexing-tips-and-tricks-pictures-included

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/288425/araucana-thread-anyone