Diary of Mommy Satin’s First Hatch

[yakitori]

The chicks have somewhat gotten used to my random hand harassment

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

Day 13

l’m wondering whether the barring pattern is telling of gender...
Top to bottom in order:

Oldest but not wisest
Five - light patterning

shoulder conquerer
Six - dark patterning

no longer poopy butt, but still getting pooped on
Three - dark patterning

slowest feathering
One - Almost no patterning

flat comber mutt
Four - Light patterning

I’m going to go out on the limb and say six and three are females can’t wait for genders to show!

View attachment 2734773

I find this chart to be accurate very early on.

 

[yakitori]

I find this chart to be accurate very early on.

Oh no! you just got my hopes up that number One is the only male

 

[yakitori]

Every night, I make time to sit with the chickies for a bit.

Today the babies have flown the coop.

Momma is *not* pleased

also baby bird dookie everywhere...

 

[yakitori]

Day 14

Here’s mutt number four, not sure if that’s the comb nub or just the nostrils.


I’m pretty happy with my deep litter bedding. I haven't changed it out since day one and no smells!
I wish I knew this a year ago when I was brooding my first chicks. I had to change it out everyday and even ran a fan to get the smell out

The chicks are more willing to be handled at night, when momma feels safe in her cage and off high alert mode.
So nights are when the chick harassment takes place

 

[yakitori]

Day 15 & 16

The weather has been so hot that I rarely go outside during the day... the babies have melted into a fluffy puddle.



I went to the run yesterday to find the babies outside the Mommy crate, and for the most part, being left alone by the other hens. So I let mommy out also.


Mean EE got a couple of hackle feathers from Paint, sending her bok bokking around the run. Momma’s always been on the bottom of the pecking order, but motherhood responsibilities made her snap out of her fear reaction faster than usual. This time, instead of hiding and panicking, she went back to her children and carried on mothering



Feathering progression:
Look at that widdle tail!

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

They are changing so fast! Mine are 1 week and a couple days and I can see them getting brave leaving momma to go explore the run. My other hens steer WAY away from her and the babies.

 

[yakitori]

They are changing so fast! Mine are 1 week and a couple days and I can see them getting brave leaving momma to go explore the run. My other hens steer WAY away from her and the babies.

i see the little black one is doing super

 

[NorthernMIFlock]

i see the little black one is doing super

Yes! Still smaller but such a fighter. Praying it’s a hen because I’m already attached

 

[yakitori]

Yes! Still smaller but such a fighter. Praying it’s a hen because I’m already attached

Or a roo that doesn't crow