Colorado

[P-Funk]

O.K. Kids. The babies turned 3 weeks old today. Mommy is so protective she even goes after me when I go in their home. They are still in their 'coop in a stall' but a few escaped yesterday when I was in there. The other girls were curious more than anything to meet them but never the less scared the crap out of the little ones. Wow are they ever quick. On days like today I don't open the run door because no-one goes out anyway. I do open the stall door so they can run around the barn (they can trash an 800lb hay bale in 3 days). The run is covered with 2x4 wire which I know 3 week olds can fit through. That being said, would you open their coop door and let the little ones explore with the 'general population' unsupervised? I can't hang out in the barn all day. I posted a similar question in 'raising baby chicks' 3 days ago but nobody answered. Come on Coloradans!

 

[samsr]

O.K. Kids. The babies turned 3 weeks old today. Mommy is so protective she even goes after me when I go in their home. They are still in their 'coop in a stall' but a few escaped yesterday when I was in there. The other girls were curious more than anything to meet them but never the less scared the crap out of the little ones. Wow are they ever quick. On days like today I don't open the run door because no-one goes out anyway. I do open the stall door so they can run around the barn (they can trash an 800lb hay bale in 3 days). The run is covered with 2x4 wire which I know 3 week olds can fit through. That being said, would you open their coop door and let the little ones explore with the 'general population' unsupervised? I can't hang out in the barn all day. I posted a similar question in 'raising baby chicks' 3 days ago but nobody answered. Come on Coloradans!

I would go ahead and let them explore. I dont think mama will let them go to far unsupervised. Just make they have an avenue of escape away from the general population. Mama will more than likely keep them on a pretty tight leash.

 

[Dnetschke]

That's the trouble - I have been calling around for large boxes for WEEKS, with no success.... eeeps!

I may have my chicks out of my brooder this week. You could borrow mine.
When do your chicks arrive?
I'm in Berthoud.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Yes, let them go. Mamma will take care of everything, that is the joy of a broody. Not that accidents can't happen, but mamma will come to their rescue and deal with flock integration.

 

[trochefarm]

I'm a bit in shock right now. My three-week old chicks have been doing great, after their initial bought of the runs and pasty butt. They've been eating, drinking, playing .... very active all the way around. Yesterday was a long work day for me, but I checked on them before I went to work yesterday, and all were fine. Last night, just before I went to bed, I made sure their water was clean for the night. One of them didn't come out of the box to drink, but I didn't think much of it. This morning, she's laying in the middle of the brooder, on her back and still. It seems she went from fine yesterday morning to dead this morning. I haven't given them anything other than their regular chick feed and water. I gave them their "dose" of yogurt over the weekend, but that's it. They all got along, and there was no abusing each other. No marks on her at all. She looks perfect, and her weight is perfect. She hadn't been picked up and handled at all yesterday. These chicks have been higher maintenance than any I've had in the past, so wondering if maybe they were not very healthy to begin with. But I wouldn't have expected them to live this long if it had been something fatal. Now I'm wondering if the two that are left are carrying something. I'm almost afraid to think about bringing them into the rest of the flock any time soon.

This is the first one I have ever lost. I thought I was being a good "mother". :-(

 

[P-Funk]

Sorry for your loss

I have 3 week olds as well. One went silently in the night but she was only 3 days old. I'm going out to open the pen door now and will bring the video phone. That way I'll have evidence, so if I lose any more I'm gonna blame Sam and Margie

 

[annav410]

I'm a bit in shock right now. My three-week old chicks have been doing great, after their initial bought of the runs and pasty butt. They've been eating, drinking, playing .... very active all the way around. Yesterday was a long work day for me, but I checked on them before I went to work yesterday, and all were fine. Last night, just before I went to bed, I made sure their water was clean for the night. One of them didn't come out of the box to drink, but I didn't think much of it. This morning, she's laying in the middle of the brooder, on her back and still. It seems she went from fine yesterday morning to dead this morning. I haven't given them anything other than their regular chick feed and water. I gave them their "dose" of yogurt over the weekend, but that's it. They all got along, and there was no abusing each other. No marks on her at all. She looks perfect, and her weight is perfect. She hadn't been picked up and handled at all yesterday. These chicks have been higher maintenance than any I've had in the past, so wondering if maybe they were not very healthy to begin with. But I wouldn't have expected them to live this long if it had been something fatal. Now I'm wondering if the two that are left are carrying something. I'm almost afraid to think about bringing them into the rest of the flock any time soon.

This is the first one I have ever lost. I thought I was being a good "mother". :-(

I am so sorry! I have read that sometimes chicks just don't make it. Life can be fragile at times.

If you didn't see any signs of illness, I would guess there was just something wrong with that particular chick. Perhaps wait a couple weeks before introduction.

 

[FrogEggs]

I may have my chicks out of my brooder this week. You could borrow mine.
When do your chicks arrive?
I'm in Berthoud.

That is awfully sweet of you. They will be shipping in just a few days. I am in Pueblo West, though, so a wee bit far to take you up on your kind offer!

A million thanks, just the same!

 

[pichuris]

Well we were expecting a double yolk, didn't expect a whole 'nother egg inside

I've had chickens all my life and never once saw something like that. I think that is pretty cool.

I want to get my coop up this weekend too, but I'll gladly take the snow, just no more wind. I am sort of ready for my five peeps to be out of our guest bathroom though. They have reached the stage where staying in the doggie pool we brought in for their brooder quarters just isn't interesting anymore so they have to check out everything else. They get into every nook and cranny and the cats are having a blast trying to take a swipe at them under the door everytime they get close. Does anyone know at what age they start clucking instead of peeping? Right now they sound like the songbirds that wake me up at 3 in the morning.

I'm so jealous of everyones coops that are being built or are completed. BUT I think there is going to be another one in the making at my place. My hubby told me 2 days ago he asked his friend for 15 sheets of plywood (he's contractor & gets stuff for cheaper). I was like what for. He says to make your chicken coop bigger! I love my husband.

 

[Kitty990]

I still have no brooder - my chicks should be here within a week.

I really hope I don't end up keeping them in my tub!!

just get a 30 or 50 gallon storage bin from wallmark, put pine shavings on the bottem with paper towels over the shavings. clip the heat lamp to the side faceing down in to it. add their water and food then your broodery is done. no bath tub mess.

when they get big enough they will want to jump out, so we cut a big hole in the middel of the lid and clamped hardwire cloth to it. it gives them air flow and a place to rest the heat lamp if you dont have a clip for it... it also kept the cat from staling one, until hubby was cleaning it out and forgote to replace the lid.

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