First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[Jensownzoo]

Set the second group of chicks loose to free range with the first group. Had to entice them to come out of the dog kennel by tossing earthworms near the entrance, but right now at least six of them are dust-bathing together. Here are some pics from when they first got some courage:

 

[ladynewtochicks]

Set the second group of chicks loose to free range with the first group. Had to entice them to come out of the dog kennel by tossing earthworms near the entrance, but right now at least six of them are dust-bathing together. Here are some pics from when they first got some courage:

Do I see Guineas? Or some chicken I don't know of yet? My friend has six but they are still chick colored...

 

[Jensownzoo]

Do I see Guineas? Or some chicken I don't know of yet? My friend has six but they are still chick colored...

Yep. I have six. They're almost done changing their body feathers over and are starting to lose feathers on their heads. One of them started "hee-hawing" like a donkey this week, so I've got at least one girl.

 

[ladynewtochicks]

Yep. I have six. They're almost done changing their body feathers over and are starting to lose feathers on their heads. One of them started "hee-hawing" like a donkey this week, so I've got at least one girl.

That's cool they don't look nearly as ugly as they do online lol then again I think I'm the only one who thinks his are cute now... how old are yours?

 

[Jensownzoo]

That's cool they don't look nearly as ugly as they do online lol then again I think I'm the only one who thinks his are cute now... how old are yours?

They're roughly two months old or so. I wish they kept the feathers on their heads...they look so nice now. I am pretty excited that they're big enough to start free-ranging. I've been picking ticks off of myself since February!

 

[KiminPA]

So I lost my first chick this morning My SLW appears to have been snuggled to death during the night and trampled. She was in the middle of the MHP when I found her this morning so it doesnt look like she got stuck under there. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?

 

[porqupine]

So I lost my first chick this morning

My SLW appears to have been snuggled to death during the night and trampled. She was in the middle of the MHP when I found her this morning so it doesnt look like she got stuck under there. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?

So sorry to hear that How many chicks do you have? Are they all roughly the same size? And how large is the brooder? It's hard to prevent that kind of thing however...

I would contact MPC ASAP -- it may be that you can still squeeze in a replacement chick for the 48 hour live guarantee (though I know that isn't the same as not losing her in the first place :/ )

 

[Jensownzoo]

So I lost my first chick this morning My SLW appears to have been snuggled to death during the night and trampled. She was in the middle of the MHP when I found her this morning so it doesnt look like she got stuck under there. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?

It could be that she just had something wrong with her and she happened to pass in comfort surrounded by buddies.

 

[kekstrom]

Set the second group of chicks loose to free range with the first group. Had to entice them to come out of the dog kennel by tossing earthworms near the entrance, but right now at least six of them are dust-bathing together. Here are some pics from when they first got some courage:

Jen, out of curiosity, what is your chicken count and what kinds do you have now? And I am dying to know what you are going to build with all those posts! A building? Coop? Fence?

 

[GardenNut]

Jen, out of curiosity, what is your chicken count and what kinds do you have now?  And I am dying to know what you are going to build with all those posts!  A building?  Coop?  Fence?

X2 on the posts! I have "post envy!"