Greetings everyone!
I joined this site a week or so ago and after one post, had some internet issues that kept me offline. Luckily they are fixed now and I can introduce myself properly!
My husband and I are the new owners of a mixed flock of chickens and I'm having a great time so far. We got them for eggs. I have two 5-week old Speckled Sussex chicks, three 1-week old Delaware chicks and, most recently, three 1-week old Barred Rock chicks that I bought on a whim. Originally I wanted all SS chickens but, for a variety of reasons, it worked out like this and I'm glad it did. I hate to have favorites but I'm really enjoying the Delawares! They're so friendly and curious and I think they're going to be great pets when they grow up.
My only complaint is that the Delawares tend to have what I think is called "pasty butt". My favorite of all the chicks is the one that gets it most of all. I've been cleaning her (him?) under the bathroom sink and it works for a couple of days but then comes back. I've read that I can trim the fluff around the chicks butt so it doesn't keep happening but I don't know if that's a good idea. I also read that apple cider vinegar in the water might help. I don't want to worry too much because, otherwise the Delaware chick in question has tons of energy, drinks plenty of water and never stops eating. All of the chicks do. They're growing according to pace, I believe. I hate washing her/his butt because the screaming tantrum I have to deal with afterwards lasts for quite awhile! It irritates my husband since their brooder is in his computer room (the only room that is off-limits to the cats). Does anyone have any suggestions?
Otherwise, all the chicks get along great and LOVE spending a few hours outside in the coop with me every day. The weather in Central California is warm right now so they're getting lots of exercise!
Thanks for reading and I look forward to learning more about mine and everyone else's chickens!
I joined this site a week or so ago and after one post, had some internet issues that kept me offline. Luckily they are fixed now and I can introduce myself properly!
My husband and I are the new owners of a mixed flock of chickens and I'm having a great time so far. We got them for eggs. I have two 5-week old Speckled Sussex chicks, three 1-week old Delaware chicks and, most recently, three 1-week old Barred Rock chicks that I bought on a whim. Originally I wanted all SS chickens but, for a variety of reasons, it worked out like this and I'm glad it did. I hate to have favorites but I'm really enjoying the Delawares! They're so friendly and curious and I think they're going to be great pets when they grow up.
My only complaint is that the Delawares tend to have what I think is called "pasty butt". My favorite of all the chicks is the one that gets it most of all. I've been cleaning her (him?) under the bathroom sink and it works for a couple of days but then comes back. I've read that I can trim the fluff around the chicks butt so it doesn't keep happening but I don't know if that's a good idea. I also read that apple cider vinegar in the water might help. I don't want to worry too much because, otherwise the Delaware chick in question has tons of energy, drinks plenty of water and never stops eating. All of the chicks do. They're growing according to pace, I believe. I hate washing her/his butt because the screaming tantrum I have to deal with afterwards lasts for quite awhile! It irritates my husband since their brooder is in his computer room (the only room that is off-limits to the cats). Does anyone have any suggestions?
Otherwise, all the chicks get along great and LOVE spending a few hours outside in the coop with me every day. The weather in Central California is warm right now so they're getting lots of exercise!
Thanks for reading and I look forward to learning more about mine and everyone else's chickens!
and Welcome To BYC! TwoCrows gave you some great advice, good luck with your chicks!
