Colorado

[Ashdoes]

I wonder if their, the Polish, size has something to do with the issues you all are having with them? We had ordered a Polish with our very first chicks, and she arrived sickly, and was the only one to pass away. She was also much tinier than the others. I've been nervous to get more since then.

 

[Ashdoes]

My polish had pasty bums too. (All of them at Kiowa did) I put them on fermented feed right away and only had a day of pasty! I had just switched the bigs and littles over to fermented feed last week just before I got the Polish, so perfect timing! It's amazing how much the fermented feed changes their poo! (Texture and smell!)

What feeder are you using for the chicks FF? I have the hardest time keeping the little buggers feet clean, cause they walk in it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ours had a bad trip. They shipped over a week early and on a Friday. Ours sat in shipment over the weekend and got to the store on a Monday midday. Poor things had a really bad trip and most did not make it.

 

[Ashdoes]

Ours had a bad trip. They shipped over a week early and on a Friday. Ours sat in shipment over the weekend and got to the store on a Monday midday. Poor things had a really bad trip and most did not make it.

That's terrible! Poor things. They should take more precautions with these smaller chicks, sitting around in a box like that is even harder for them.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The store had no idea they had shipped early until they got the call on Monday from the post office. At least they put them in the heated bathroom and cranked the heat up for them.
The store employees were shocked that they were so early.

Mine have grown some since they are larger than the 3-4 day old Iowa Blues I picked up yesterday. Going well with them now.

 

[uzisuzuki]

Uzi
I am looking forward to seeing what a seabright polish cross will look like. Good work with the pics. Very clear on the veining.

Me too! Hopefully, it'll be interesting & fabulous!

Congrats!  That is an awesome flashlight!!

So far, I'm very pleased with every product I've bought from Brinsea. Bit expensive but well worth it.

Speaking of dogs & chickens, I've been slowly working with my GSD/Shiba Inu mix, Toki, in regards to being around the chickens. He's getting better, which is hard to do with him sometimes. He's very smart & quick but he also gets in that GSD focused attack mode that's hard to break. This morning, Toki jumped up & goosed the rooster while the rooster was on my arm & sent him straight up onto the top of my head. After that, my smallest hen got a bit worked up by Toki, went flying off away from the run & I had a little panic moment since I'm still not moving fast enough to outrun a dog. He surprised me & just kind of corralled her back towards me. That was surprising.

Now, my Yorkshire/Scottish Terrier mix, Arya, is a whole different story. The Terrier is way too strong in that little terror!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Some dogs just have the focus that cannot be broken easily. Best dog I ever had was an American Staffordshire. She would help me herd the ducks into the barn when it got really cold out. Super cool that she knew not to eat them. Miss that old girl.

I am glad your doggie did not run the bird down and decided to bring it back your way instead. I bet that scared the daylights out of you.

Well I have about a thousand things needing done around here so I better get busy since my batteries are charged for the impact driver now.

Enjoy the nicer weather y'all.

 

[Ashdoes]

Our Bostons were extremely focused on the chickens, until our Barred Rock head hen got big enough, and she scared the crap outta them. She bit Beans toe, actually lifted up his foot, and that was the last time he got that close to them. Waffle is more stubborn, but has been bit on the butt and attacked by a roo, he now keeps his distance as well. I think we just lucked out with these little dogs, they could easily be terrible chicken eaters. We can actually leave them out with the chickens all day, and everyone is healthy and happy when we return.
I am loving the sunshine today. We really needed it.

 

[oshun55555]

Quote:
I have been raising chickens a long long time, and have broodies that raise chicks without pasty butt, but always had the problem with the GQF box brooders and the heat lamps, the lights are always on. But bought a Brinsea Brooder because it uses only 20 watts in comparison to the 240 watt lamps, no pasty butt whatsoever with the Brinsea, I suspect its because when it gets dark they go under the Brinsea and sleep the whole night long and get back up with the sun, more natural I think. Any thoughts on why?

 

[Rochelesmit]

I'm lazy and just put it in a couple of lids and throw it in there with them. They do walk all over it, and the polish seem to fall into it a lot, but when they are all done, everyone is pretty clean. They eat it fast! And then eat all the little bits off of the other chicks.