Hello, I got my first chickens! Questions about coop security, etc.

[Atomic Ranch]

Thanks, they're all doing very well! The runt still hasn't really grown, but is impressively voracious and active. She's assertive, seemingly unaware of her shortcomings. Her eye is still a little runny, but she's breathing normally and toughing it out.

 

[If the Goose Fits]

I had a chicken die the day I got it one time. The exact same thing that happened to your chicken happened to it, it had what appeared to be seizures.
I knew this little chicken wasn't going to do well for about a few hours before though, it was the smallest of all the others, was lethargic, and sort of just lay there. It just had seizures for the last minute or so of its life.

The weaker chicks just die sometimes, but it still is awful sad.
I wouldn't worry to much about the runt. I had one cochin that just wouldn't grow. It took him forever to get to be as big as the other cochins, and then it took him forever to grow out his feathers. He was almost bald for a while!

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
It was weird because she was really large, about 50% larger than her fellow hatchlings. Active and fine until then. Since I'm new at this, I couldn't help wondering if it was something I had not done correctly. Very strange!

LOL about the runt. Bald! Haha. My cochin is growing very quickly, and seems well-tempered and spry. The little one doesn't seem worse for wear, except that the eye thing is back. I might post a photo and see if any of you can help me identify what the problem is and how I might be able to treat.

Starting on the coop tomorrow! Hooray!

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Ah, I see I can post photos:

When they were wee:

Just today:

Is it too early to tell if this Delaware is a roo? Bigger legs, more tail, first in pecking order...

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Just a follow-up! The coop is built and the run secured. That was a lotta work! Whew! Here's their first day outside.

Delaware and Cochin see the sky, lol.

After 20 minutes, the buff orp tests the water.

Rhodie and EE would not stop with the dust baths.

Feathering out and looking a bit roo, yes?

Delaware, Cal White, and Rhodie taste pineapple.

The little runt survived, and is thriving.

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[BairleaFarm]

Great pics and good looking set of birds.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
Hey thanks!

They're a lot of fun, and with more individual personality than I expected.

 

[Matthew3590]

If the roo in question does turn out to be a roo are you going to keep it? I have noticed with my flocks that they seem to be more of a "flock" when there is a roo in the equation.

 

[Tina D]

Nice birdies! They look very happy.

 

[Atomic Ranch]

Quote:
Sure, I'd love to. I'm not technically permitted though... I'm going to try, and see if anyone complains I suppose. The folks up the hill have peacocks, and others dogs and dirt bikes, so I can't imagine he'd intrude too terribly. I think there's a Leghorn roo in the mix as well. Can two get along with 12 hens? Or will they duke it out?