First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[ladynewtochicks]

Lol! So my brooder is only going last 2-3 weeks?! I better get to work on the coop!!

My plan was initially 2 weeks but it's looking more like 3, I've been slacking on my coop lol. I also have more birds. Mines a 100gal, is that about what yours is?

They could probably go longer though I don't know really I'm new to this

 

[MiniIndyRanch]

My plan was initially 2 weeks but it's looking more like 3, I've been slacking on my coop lol. I also have more birds. Mines a 100gal, is that about what yours is?

They could probably go longer though I don't know really I'm new to this

Yeah, i have a 100 gallon trough that was left behind by the previous homeowner. I was hoping to luck out and get away with no grow-out brooder.

 

[CopperMaranMom]

Ok so my baby's came but I noticed one of my chicks isn't really doing much it has sleep for the past 3hrs (it woke up from time to time) so I put some sugar in their water and got a spoon and put some sugar water in it and let it sip out of it, was that the right thing to do? And I think one of them has diarrhea.. I don't think that's normal

 

[jessschlles4]

Picked up my first girls just before Easter, two more a week after that and my most recent last Friday. I have 2 Ameracaunas, 1 Silver Laced Wydonnette, and 2 Buff Orpingtons. All have been good girls to each other but the Buffs are cliquey with each other. Happy growing everyone!

 

[Jensownzoo]

Ok so my baby's came but I noticed one of my chicks isn't really doing much it has sleep for the past 3hrs (it woke up from time to time) so I put some sugar in their water and got a spoon and put some sugar water in it and let it sip out of it, was that the right thing to do? And I think one of them has diarrhea.. I don't think that's normal

It is sounding like you are doing the right thing. The whole ordeal has likely been very stressful for them. Babies sleep a lot anyway, but now that their world has stopped jostling, they may need some make up time. A bit of extra energy like the sugar water will help too.

If you notice a persistently loose droppings, it is probably time to add electrolytes and probitoics to the water to help counteract the effects. Make sure the vents stay clear of poo.

 

[Jess72180]

This is Henrietta. She's the boss of the girls. I'm hoping she's not a Henry!

We have Fluffy, who started to get a comb at two weeks old. We were worried she was a rooster but her coloring is still looking like a pullet.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Buster, my 4 week old cockerel bantam partridge cochin with the crooked beak has started mounting one of the pullets. His comb turned red at 1 week old, so I guess I knew he was precocious, but this is ridiculous! Poor girl definitely isn't receptive and screeches bloody murder about it. Anyone know if early roo behavior like this is linked to aggressive tendencies? He was always either going to be rehomed or part of a batchelor flock thanks to his deformed beak, but if this is an early indication of behavior undesirable in a "pet", I may have to rethink my options.

 

[mamatoes]

I'm feeling so defeated. I have 8 chicks. 3 for sure roosters. 1 pullet. And 3 suspected roosters and 1 unknown.

Not sure what the plan is now

 

[realsis]

I'm feeling so defeated. I have 8 chicks. 3 for sure roosters. 1 pullet. And 3 suspected roosters and 1 unknown.

Not sure what the plan is now

Where did you get them? Did you buy them as straight run (non sexed) or pullet bin? May I make a suggestion for next time? Order sexed females from a hatchery. Sure every now and then a male might get miss sexed but not often and you will get your females. THE VERY BEST time of year to order is December and January with all the breeds and females available. You can purchase them then but have them delivered anytime you want. When I ordered in January I got mine to ship in April. THIS way you get the breeds and sees your looking for.

 

[Jensownzoo]

I'm feeling so defeated. I have 8 chicks. 3 for sure roosters. 1 pullet. And 3 suspected roosters and 1 unknown.

Not sure what the plan is now

I also have a super-high ratio of roos in my bantams (which they don't vent sex). I can have roos, but I really don't need this many! Am hoping since they're cute bantams, someone on Craigslist will want them for pets...