February/March Grow-a-long

[lilwanderer]

Update on my first chicks ( before the bcm's):
The only one im 95% sure is a hen due to being told her mix will have white feathers as males, brown/black as females on the feet, the 5% is because hers is a very light brown, and It could be a lie, whether by accident or not.

The other 5 week old, has feathered the most, thinking pullet.

The sweet one, unsure the gender, either a unusually sweet hen, or a lovey dovey rooster, 3½ weeks:

Then as y'all know if you pay attention, the noisy one who wasn't happy with taking a picture:

 

[fuzzi]

Day 15!

The chicks are getting restless, but it is supposed to be very cold all week, below freezing overnight, so they need to stay in the brooder when I'm at work, at least til the end of the week.

I cleaned out the brooder this afternoon while they explored some grass clumps in the dog house "playpen". I removed all the straw and replaced it with clean bedding. I also added a few items to keep them distracted.

Above: mirror on the left, a roosting branch, and a 4" tree stump.

They're also exercising their wings, a couple are taking short "flights". One fluttered out of the brooder and onto the stool, then turned around and fluttered back inside.

I'm thinking of putting the brooder on the ground (it's up on blocks) and leaving the door open for their short excursions, during the day to start but when I'm home, like Friday. Too soon?

 

[fuzzi]

Same box...

Day 15

Day 3

 

[SycamoreHorsesFarm]

My crew is outgrowing their indoor brooder so I put them in the garage in a tent with a flat panel heater (they’ve been under a ceramic bulb). I had to herd them under it to get them to understand where the warmth was. They played all afternoon taking long warm up breaks on their own. I thought, great! Then night fell and they all huddled in a cold pile by the door.

So they came back inside for the night. I’m hoping another day of introduction to the heater will teach them to use it. I threw some straw over top to insulate it a bit more but maybe it got too hot. Temp readings are 70-80 underneath but the surface temp of the heater is much hotter (brooder setting TSC heater)

 

[Kikilu]

Chicks are getting big! I already wish I had a bigger brooder.

 

[Kikilu]

So far I think 4 males 4 females.

 

[fuzzi]

Well I suspect I might have coccidiosis happening with my chicks. One is fluffed out, head tucked, keeping to itself a bit and yellow foamy poops. Calling the vet Monday morning. From what I have seen in threads we need to get treatment from vet for it in Canada aside from medicated feed. Hopefully I can get everything sorted out.

How is your chick doing?

 

[Kikilu]

How is your chick doing?

Still a little puffed up wings down and chirping a lot but I was able to get Corid from someone thank goodness. Vet couldn’t come until Friday! Started treatment last night so I think doing better. Less puffed up I think? And jumped up with everyone to see me tonight after work. Keeping a close eye. It’s a Polish chick so I’ve heard they are perhaps a little more sensitive to things as well.

 

[fuzzi]

Supposed to be down in the 20s the next two nights, so I added more straw, making sure it went down the sides of the MHP. I also piled more on top.

At least three chicks were roosting on the branch when I checked on them earlier, but I didn't get a picture. Too cute.

"Best buds"

 

[fuzzi]

Still a little puffed up wings down and chirping a lot but I was able to get Corid from someone thank goodness. Vet couldn’t come until Friday! Started treatment last night so I think doing better. Less puffed up I think? And jumped up with everyone to see me tonight after work. Keeping a close eye. It’s a Polish chick so I’ve heard they are perhaps a little more sensitive to things as well.

When I bought the chick feed I wasn't sure if they were vaccinated, so I got unmedicated food, and a bottle of Corid, just in case. It's over the counter here, don't need a vet.