First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[ladynewtochicks]

It's a combination of other factors too that make me suspicious... Wattles combs and attitudes mainly

 

[WildIrishRose]

Have you guys tried the whole turning them upside down thing? Anyone ever find that to be semi true? If you turn them upside down and they hold their feet close to their body, they're supposed to be female, and if they put their feet out they're supposed to be males. I'm sure it's not even 80% accurate, but something that I'll be watching with my chickies.

 

[kekstrom]

I'm new too, but I haven't read anything about sexing that soon based on wattles... but we're all bound to learn something eveyday. Just keeping fingers crossed (now for both of us) that these chicks aren't roos after all! Besides, I'm not sure my Sarah could learn to be called by anything else...

SLW pinken and redden early even in pullets. I'll try to show you mine, she has a pink/red comb.

 

[kekstrom]

My SLW pullet....

3 weeks


4 weeks...


And 5 weeks... (now)


This is normal for the Wyandottes. Every breed is different, so if you can compare within your SLWs, that would be better. As in, some are pinker than others, etc.

 

[ladynewtochicks]

My SLW pullet.... 3 weeks 4 weeks... And 5 weeks... (now) This is normal for the Wyandottes. Every breed is different, so if you can compare within your SLWs, that would be better. As in, some are pinker than others, etc.

That is good to know that they pink up so early. Only one of my suspects is a Slw but compared to my other Slw there is major reddness difference... Time will tell I suppose

 

[jessschlles4]

I've tried the pick up method a few times just for fun on each bird I have with mixed results per bird. I'm not placing any bets either way based on this method.

 

[jessschlles4]

My SLW pullet.... 3 weeks 4 weeks... And 5 weeks... (now) This is normal for the Wyandottes. Every breed is different, so if you can compare within your SLWs, that would be better. As in, some are pinker than others, etc.

My SLWs comb is only slightly larger, but same color as yours. Wattles have definitely started to show on the jawline.

 

[jessschlles4]

I'm buying more herbs this weekend for the chicken supply! I have to say, I'm loving raising chickens more each day and definitely way more than I ever imagined!

Also picked up a ton of herbs to go around my run. I have been picking off pieces of each herb and putting those in the brooder so the chicks get used to the smell/taste. They have also torn rose flowers to shreds and eat those on occasion. If nothing else, their brooder smells pretty good! I'll try the rosemary too.

 

[GardenNut]

Also picked up a ton of herbs to go around my run. I have been picking off pieces of each herb and putting those in the brooder so the chicks get used to the smell/taste. They have also torn rose flowers to shreds and eat those on occasion. If nothing else, their brooder smells pretty good! I'll try the rosemary too.

Have you seen Lisa Steele's "Fresh Eggs Daily" blog/site? She uses herbs a lot. I enjoy reading her posts ant hung her videos. I learned about her blog her on BYC too!

 

[WildIrishRose]

Hmm came out to the coop to an awfully noisy Barred Rock chick. She was snuggled into mama and still chirping loudly. I shoved her under mama and she popped out a moment later- chirping obnoxiously all the while. She also had her little wings out from her body a bit. So I brought the wee one in with me, put her under the light and put her beak in some fresh water. She's sitting quietly now, with occasional peeping. She's not straight under the light, but still in it's heat. And she still has her wings out a tad (not as much). It's only been about 15 min since I took her out. There's a Barred Rock that was obnoxious like that the whole way home. I suspect it was her, but who knows. What do y'all make of it? I know when the chirp like that there's something wrong. But what do the little wings out mean?