Dixie Chicks

[familyfarm1]

Oh, I took some pics this morning. We're almost at 4 weeks now. Starting to be pretty feathered. I'm thinking two more weeks until we take the divider down, I hope they will be big enough to defend themselves from the roo. He doesn't seem aggressive towards them through the divider though. My biggest concern is that the chicks won't know how to come back into the coop if they venture out into the run. When can a chick be exposed to -15C?

all so cute! I miss my broody hen!

 

[BriardChickens]

OK BC I'm lost and confused cuz I have a couple of hens that mount the other hens. And they all use top and bottom nests? (I have 5 over 5 antique galvanized nest boxes.) Like I said I'm confused.

Really, hens mount other hens? Ok, I didn't know they would do that.. My set up has 4 nest boxes, 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom. The 2 bottom nests aren't used by the girls.

@BriardChickens

how many days has it been for your broody?

Have you given up on her?

I would think after 25 days.... there would be no hope....

I am just about to.. I keep hoping but come the weekend she'll be kicked off her nest..

 

[NotAFarm]

Oh, I took some pics this morning. We're almost at 4 weeks now. Starting to be pretty feathered. I'm thinking two more weeks until we take the divider down, I hope they will be big enough to defend themselves from the roo. He doesn't seem aggressive towards them through the divider though. My biggest concern is that the chicks won't know how to come back into the coop if they venture out into the run. When can a chick be exposed to -15C?

vehve, I've never had a problem with my males with chicks, it is the hens you'll have to worry about, especially if their momma holds/held a lower place in the pecking order of the flock before separated. Make a place they can run into (a square or circle of wire with holes big enough for them but too small for the hens) and they will learn to use it. You can also put treats in there for them that the hens cannot reach. They should be fully feathered at 6 weeks. Their momma may keep mothering them since it is cold and she may not be ready to starting laying soon. When she weans them, they will stick together and help each other stay warm. How high up is the coop door from the run?

 

[vehve]

Naf, about a meter, so it's a bit high to climb. I've put in an angled roost in the separation so that the chicks can practice climbing. I should probably put together something resembling the ladder to the coop and let them get used to that too. I have a sanctuary box that I'll put in there when we take the separator out, but that will only be inside the coop, under a heat lamp. I'm going to keep giving them some extra heat until they're a bit bigger. It's the outside that still worries me. I somehow think that the other grown ups won't be a problem, two mommies should be able to keep four chicks safe. At least I hope so.

*Edit* Oh, the reason why I'm mostly worried about the roo is that he (and his sister) seem to be the biggest poopy heads in our flock. Wilma shouldn't be a problem, she's very accepting of everyone.

 

[Peep_Show]

FamilyFarm1 --

And because I didn't say it earlier... Welcome!

 

[Amberjem]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii everyone @RavynFallen
@Outpost JWB
@JW12 @vehve @hennible @Peep_Show @chickwhispers
@Double Kindness @Aliciahess @hennible @perchie.girl
@NotAFarm @Sharps Big 50 @idiotswife @bamadude @sharon @Sarah1031
@BriardChickens
@Alaskan
@Beer can
Good morning one and all sorry if I missed anyone just waking up and I am soo excited cant think right today is our anniversary and we are going to go Island hopping and do some exploring of the San Juan Islands

I hope everyone has a suppppppppppppppppppppppper awesome day!!




I almost forgot my question: What do you do to maintain and keep your chickens healthy and clean both the chickens and the coop or any other chicken related area's what process do you use for cleaning

 

[vehve]

Congrats, Jem and 50!

 

[Peep_Show]

Have a fun day!

 

[Amberjem]

thanks alot @vehve hehe I totally forgot I am soo bad at dates n stuff this should be exciting I sure hope the day is nice for this I'll try to get some pictures to share for later anyways we are awake at the bumcrack of dawn.. and he gathered me in his arms and said he had an announcement.. and this was his surprise ..super neato!

 

[Beer can]

Thats awesome amberjem! And I hope dinner was good. Nothing better than steak and seafood. When I read vehve's post I thought you were celebrating your 50th. I thought wow they don't look that old Lol!!
Sorry jem and big 50, Lol, have fun!