That's actually what I meant.
@eggfooyung Glad to hear the others and the CLB are doing well!
Feeling overwhelmed and having second thoughts!
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@eggfooyung Glad to hear the others and the CLB are doing well!
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eggfooyoung
Chirping
Good morning @Blooie !
So I turned that heater off. It's been really nice here though with the temps up so it hasn't been bad. Tell your husband I totally agree with him but my old mama brain wasn't working right and didn't think of that until you mentioned it lol.
I checked in on them a few times before I went to bed, and as you said, they all nestled under the MHP together! This morning I went in to clean the brooder, etc and they were all out and about, eating and drinking. Checked their butts and all was well! The CLB solo chick I'd gotten that morning literally came to life when I added the others 5 hours later. They're all doing really well together. I do have a Welsummer who is definitely bigger than the rest, and she's making it known that she's the boss... which ticks me off a little because a few of them are really tiny. She's not pecking at them (she did a few times and then stopped) but she's shoving everyone around and out of her way. Needs an attitude adjustment lol. Hoping she settles down a bit.
Have to say, one thing I was hoping for out of all of this was to get my 8 year old to be more confident (she's shy and has anxiety issues) and help her see that she is capable of doing things she things are hard. When I brought the chicks home, she was SO excited - but wouldn't touch them because she was afraid. This morning?? I asked her to get me the box to put them in so I could clean out the brooder and she said "I'll put them in for you!" and did so, EXPERTLY, and without flinching!! You're right - this is not only going to be MY therapy, but apparently, my girls' therapy as well
I DO have a few questions though! And even though I've read everything I could get my hands (or tablet lol) on, I'm still confused as there is so much conflicting info out there...
1. When can I let them start exploring outside (what temps?), and do I let them in the grass or...? (I have a baby "corral" gate that closes off into an octagon so I was going to line that with hardware cloth & zip ties and use that for them... thoughts?)
2. When can I start putting them in the coop for short amounts of time (age? outdoor temp?) to get used to it?
3. When do I let them out there full time? And I believe I'm supposed to keep them in the coop (and not allow them access to the run) for a week? Is that true?
There is so much to learn. Good thing there's coffee and wine to keep me motivated lol.
Stay tuned - I have all the pics and I'm getting ready to post them!
MigraineMan
Chirping
My 10-year-old son is getting the "confidence" lesson too. Chicks squirm when you pick them up - gotta hold on. They might not like what you're doing, but you know that it's in their best interest (both the chicks and the children.) It's a good lesson all around.
As prep for sending them outside eventually, I have been grabbing a big dandelion from the yard and putting it in the brooder. It usually has lots of greens and a big dirt clod associated, so it'll have grit and local bacteria. If nothing else, they seem to enjoy playing with it.
As prep for sending them outside eventually, I have been grabbing a big dandelion from the yard and putting it in the brooder. It usually has lots of greens and a big dirt clod associated, so it'll have grit and local bacteria. If nothing else, they seem to enjoy playing with it.
My chicks are outdoors by 3 days old if it isn't raining with a heavy breeze, I give them a huddle box. If it's not good weather... I bring in soil in a dish to let their immunity build until I am ready to take them out. they love it! So cute to see very young chicks dirt bathing.
Love the little corrals, work well.
Could be raised in the coop from day 1! There are article on here called Yes you can brood outdoors, I think.
If the run is enclosed there isn't any reason I know of they shouldn't access it. You are probably talking about homing them to it... In which case I would keep them enclosed in the coop/run for a period of time before letting them free range.
But with blooie on your side, you're in good hands to get the right info!
So glad to hear your 8 year old is enjoying the new adventure and gaining confidence!
Love the little corrals, work well.
Could be raised in the coop from day 1! There are article on here called Yes you can brood outdoors, I think.
If the run is enclosed there isn't any reason I know of they shouldn't access it. You are probably talking about homing them to it... In which case I would keep them enclosed in the coop/run for a period of time before letting them free range.
But with blooie on your side, you're in good hands to get the right info!
So glad to hear your 8 year old is enjoying the new adventure and gaining confidence!
Well, believe it or not outside is where I start chicks! Yep, right out in the great outdoors from the beginning. I keep them inside for the first 24 hours or so. That way I can watch them and make sure they aren't suffering from any shipping stress, that they know how to get food and water, and that they know where MHP is to warm up, then out they go. I even do that with chicks 24 hours out of my incubator.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors
I just think it's less stressful for them - no period of adjusting to the cooler temps, the strange sounds and sights, and they are very comfortable with the natural day/night cycles. So often we read that they need to be weaned off the heat, that they can't touch the ground for weeks and weeks, that they can't go outside for some fresh air until the temps out there are in the 80s and there's no wind...then just a few weeks later we plunge them into these totally strange surroundings anyway and expect them to do well.
Well, a mother hen doesn't have night lights. She doesn't heat them up 24/7. She doesn't microscopically examine their food and water,peeling and de-seeding, nor does she care that they are getting into a little trouble out in the big wide world. She lets them grow up. And that's where we as caring people have a problem. We care so much that we stress them and us to oblivion. I did that with my first batch of chicks....never again. Ever. But the sad truth is that it's been so long since I did that gradually-introducing-chicks-to-the-sun-and-grass thing that I just don't know what to tell you! Some will say waiting until they're fully feathered. Some will say now for an hour or so. Some will say all kids of things and your mission is to sort it out and decide what you think will work for you and then try it. Since yours are inside, I'd wait a bit longer but I honestly don't know how long.
Now, that doesn't mean that I am telling you to move them out there to live right now just because that's what I do. I know better. What works for me might not work for someone else, and for first time chick owners having them outside from the start isn't very confidence-inspiring. You might feel like you're not bonding or doing a good job because they aren't right at hand 24/7. You want to SEE your chicks, watch their antics, listen to their peeping. I get that, especially with kids who have a little trouble dealing with the world and change as it is.
For the pecking issue, give them a clump of sod in another day or so, for all the reasons @MigraineMan mentioned. It also gives them something to peck at rather than each other. They peck at it, scratch in it, play King of the Mountain on it, and when it breaks down they dust bathe in it. Mine love it, and even brooding them outdoors I still give them a clump of sod to play with. They'll also peck at and roll shiny big marbles all around the brooder instead of pecking at toenails and eyeballs...klnda like chick soccer. At least my first chicks did. I dropped one in there accidentally planning to put them in their water dish as recommended and the chicks had a blast. So I put a few more in and let 'em go.
@EggSighted4Life You flatter me! Your check is in the mail!
I'm thrilled that your little girl helped you with the chicks this morning! As crazy about the chicks and chickens as our Katie is, she still doesn't like to hold them much. She has a sensory thing and the tiny claws on her palms kinda drive her crazy. She'll pick up the adults just fine. But we have worked with her for so long that we know these things, and we let her stop with where she's comfortable without pushing her too hard. We do want her edging past her comfort zones steadily, but frustration isn't the way to accomplish that. We can read her pretty well and know when to pull back until she's ready to go on. Kendra doesn't care...scratchy claws and all she's fine with it. She just doesn't like it when she's out in her chair and Tank flies up into her lap. Tank is a huge Light Brahma, and the friendliest chicken we have out there. We try to catch her before she plops on Kendra, but we're not always successful. It doesn't scare Kendra, but Tank is heavy!
Let your littlest one pick out a chick, one that is pretty distinguishable, and let that be "her" chicken. She'll learn to look for it out there and feels like she has some skin in the game. When the time comes, let the kids gather eggs. Keep them involved, and you'll find yourself learning right along with them! This is all so exciting!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors
I just think it's less stressful for them - no period of adjusting to the cooler temps, the strange sounds and sights, and they are very comfortable with the natural day/night cycles. So often we read that they need to be weaned off the heat, that they can't touch the ground for weeks and weeks, that they can't go outside for some fresh air until the temps out there are in the 80s and there's no wind...then just a few weeks later we plunge them into these totally strange surroundings anyway and expect them to do well.
Well, a mother hen doesn't have night lights. She doesn't heat them up 24/7. She doesn't microscopically examine their food and water,peeling and de-seeding, nor does she care that they are getting into a little trouble out in the big wide world. She lets them grow up. And that's where we as caring people have a problem. We care so much that we stress them and us to oblivion. I did that with my first batch of chicks....never again. Ever. But the sad truth is that it's been so long since I did that gradually-introducing-chicks-to-the-sun-and-grass thing that I just don't know what to tell you! Some will say waiting until they're fully feathered. Some will say now for an hour or so. Some will say all kids of things and your mission is to sort it out and decide what you think will work for you and then try it. Since yours are inside, I'd wait a bit longer but I honestly don't know how long.
Now, that doesn't mean that I am telling you to move them out there to live right now just because that's what I do. I know better. What works for me might not work for someone else, and for first time chick owners having them outside from the start isn't very confidence-inspiring. You might feel like you're not bonding or doing a good job because they aren't right at hand 24/7. You want to SEE your chicks, watch their antics, listen to their peeping. I get that, especially with kids who have a little trouble dealing with the world and change as it is.
For the pecking issue, give them a clump of sod in another day or so, for all the reasons @MigraineMan mentioned. It also gives them something to peck at rather than each other. They peck at it, scratch in it, play King of the Mountain on it, and when it breaks down they dust bathe in it. Mine love it, and even brooding them outdoors I still give them a clump of sod to play with. They'll also peck at and roll shiny big marbles all around the brooder instead of pecking at toenails and eyeballs...klnda like chick soccer. At least my first chicks did. I dropped one in there accidentally planning to put them in their water dish as recommended and the chicks had a blast. So I put a few more in and let 'em go.
@EggSighted4Life You flatter me! Your check is in the mail!
I'm thrilled that your little girl helped you with the chicks this morning! As crazy about the chicks and chickens as our Katie is, she still doesn't like to hold them much. She has a sensory thing and the tiny claws on her palms kinda drive her crazy. She'll pick up the adults just fine. But we have worked with her for so long that we know these things, and we let her stop with where she's comfortable without pushing her too hard. We do want her edging past her comfort zones steadily, but frustration isn't the way to accomplish that. We can read her pretty well and know when to pull back until she's ready to go on. Kendra doesn't care...scratchy claws and all she's fine with it. She just doesn't like it when she's out in her chair and Tank flies up into her lap. Tank is a huge Light Brahma, and the friendliest chicken we have out there. We try to catch her before she plops on Kendra, but we're not always successful. It doesn't scare Kendra, but Tank is heavy!
Let your littlest one pick out a chick, one that is pretty distinguishable, and let that be "her" chicken. She'll learn to look for it out there and feels like she has some skin in the game. When the time comes, let the kids gather eggs. Keep them involved, and you'll find yourself learning right along with them! This is all so exciting!
Glad everything is going so splendidly. It's a confidence builder all around. The main thing is, don't worry about doing things "right" or "wrong". Do what seems comfortable.
Keep in mind chicks are durable. They aren't hot house orchids that will wilt if you do one tiny thing wrong. As long as their basic needs are met, you can have fun with them. As long as the weather is nice, no cold breezes blowing to suck body heat from their little bodies, you can take baby chicks outside for brief romps after the first week.
Before I began brooding outdoors, I would place my chicks in a carrying crate and take them outside to a safe pen in the run. I would leave the crate in the pen and when they began to chill, the chicks would voluntarily return to the crate to huddle for warmth. That made it easy to tell when they needed to go back indoors to their heat supply, and they were already gathered up for the trip back.
As for dealing with a chick who may be overly aggressive toward the other smaller ones, a gentle poke with your finger on their back will tell them their behavior is not acceptable. This is how a broody hens gets an unruly chick to fall into line.
Keep in mind chicks are durable. They aren't hot house orchids that will wilt if you do one tiny thing wrong. As long as their basic needs are met, you can have fun with them. As long as the weather is nice, no cold breezes blowing to suck body heat from their little bodies, you can take baby chicks outside for brief romps after the first week.
Before I began brooding outdoors, I would place my chicks in a carrying crate and take them outside to a safe pen in the run. I would leave the crate in the pen and when they began to chill, the chicks would voluntarily return to the crate to huddle for warmth. That made it easy to tell when they needed to go back indoors to their heat supply, and they were already gathered up for the trip back.
As for dealing with a chick who may be overly aggressive toward the other smaller ones, a gentle poke with your finger on their back will tell them their behavior is not acceptable. This is how a broody hens gets an unruly chick to fall into line.
Elaine E
Chirping
This experience will give you and your children a lovely sense of peace and contentment. When the world starts to stress me out, I head straight for the coop for a little sit with the girls.
- May 19, 2009
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You need to get some Basque hens . the friendliest chicken in the world
even the day old chicks will come and run up and jump in your hand
if you've got kids and you want them to have friendly chickens you need the Basque birds
Their real name is Euskal Oilia. There are some people who have them here on byc.
Best,
Karen
even the day old chicks will come and run up and jump in your hand
if you've got kids and you want them to have friendly chickens you need the Basque birds
Their real name is Euskal Oilia. There are some people who have them here on byc.
Best,
Karen
Last edited:
SOLD! I gotta get some of those!!! Thanks, Karen!
- May 19, 2009
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More than welcome Blooie.
I did a lot of research on on Basques. and... the people in that breed are so nice . I didn't meet a single person I didn't like in that breed.
Best,
Karen
I did a lot of research on on Basques. and... the people in that breed are so nice . I didn't meet a single person I didn't like in that breed.
Best,
Karen
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