Hatch-Along - Setting eggs this weekend (Jan5/6) WHOS WITH ME!

[dblea202]

I am so happy they are doing well!! I have to chuckle picturing the two of them working on those bandages though!
We put a small perch in the pen for our little ones. They are flying up onto anything they can now, and seem to like setting up on a divider bar/door sill for the big birds' coop when the door is open. So Radioman found a 1 ft piece of 1/2" by 1/2" trim and used finishing nails to attach it to two pieces (about 4" long or so) of 2x4 scrap. It isn't very high off the ground obviously but the little ones sure seem to enjoy it and I think it is helping them learn their balance because they are on and off of it constantly now without trouble.
Of course they are also starting to realize that Mindy makes a warm perch also. Today she had 2 on her neck at the base of her head... she was OK with that but drew the line at the one who flew up and perched on her nose! OMG it was funny seeing her go cross eyed trying to look at it... she waited a moment then just lowered her snout to the ground and it slid right off.

poor little thing was stuck moving around to her side and getting onto her back the same way it's siblings did.

thats so cute!!! That's awesome that Mindy is so calm with them. Peggy-sue has a golden retriever adn she LOVES our girls...although she is still pretty young and hyper so idk what she would do with little chicks. i'm sure she would love them though. Our two little chicks are a handful i am kinda afraid to see what they might do when those bandages are off for good!

 

[dblea202]

Oh boy...Obie is no longer wearing the braces on her legs and she is going CRAZY!!

She is going all over the brooder and chirping constantly. Harper is looking at her like PLEASE STOP....Harper isn't used to Obie being this active and i'm not quite sure Harper knows what to do with it lol So hopefully Obie's legs can build strength and not go back to how they were...Obie would not be a very happy camper if we pull out the bandages again.

 

[dblea202]

Pictures of Obie & Harper at 7 days old:

Obie:










Harper

 

[fisherlady]

They are so cute!!! Glad to see the updated pics!

 

[Sally8]

Thought I'd post this up here also... did put it in the PA Unite thread also.

The little ones are getting braver by the day, starting to fly short distances. One decided to use Mindy as a launch pad today for a test flight

These videos are adorable. The look on the dogs face is priceless. I have dogs that would snap and the chick would be gone!

 

[SarahJaneB]

So adorable!!! I need to get some updated pics of my little ones

soon..

 

[nothingbutbirds]

Pictures of Obie & Harper at 7 days old: Obie: Harper

they are so cute!!!! love those little chicks.

 

[dblea202]

How long does everyone usually keep the marbles etc. in their chicks water? Ours make such a mess with the little containers we use with the marbles and they are afraid of a normal water container lol they just give it a stink eye. any suggestions?? They are about a week and a half old

 

[dblea202]

Also we get to candle our eggs tonight for the first time! Can't wait to see what we have developing!!

 

[fisherlady]

How long does everyone usually keep the marbles etc. in their chicks water? Ours make such a mess with the little containers we use with the marbles and they are afraid of a normal water container lol they just give it a stink eye. any suggestions?? They are about a week and a half old

We just use a little waterer... I think it's a 1 qt, designed for chicks because the lip on the base is much narrower than the regular chicken waterers... just a generic type that is available at tractor supply (the white plastic top with red base one)
We have used it without any trouble since they were 2 days old, but ours are with Gracie and the waterer area is coop temp pretty much, so not a problem with them wanting to go to sleep in the area. I wouldn't worry to much about your little ones if they have good balance now and the water isn't near the heat lamp, that way they get their food and drink but don't hang out in the area.

They may give the waterer the stink eye right now, but if you remove the other water source, then dunk their beaks in the 'new' one and give it a short while I think they will do fine with it. Chickens are suspicious of everything! But they are also very nosey and once they are exposed to something they seem to then act like they are little experts and have always done it!