How old are these babies?

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Any chance that they are ALL still pullets?

Yes there is EVERY chance they are ALL still pullets!

Wanna add this info re ISA Browns. I've had several varieties of red sexlinks, and have found there is no other red sexlink variety quite comparable to a True ISA Brown. Their eggs hit jumbo size within their first year of laying, and their egg color is a rich deep golden brown.

The reason I mention this is because the ISA Brown "formula" is privately owned, proprietary and a closely guarded secret. The only way to get a true ISA Brown is from a hatchery or a store that uses said hatchery. (I buy ISA Brown day-old chicks every other year direct from a hatchery.)

Rhode Island Reds and RIWs are supposedly part of the "formula", but it's not possible to cross a RIR with a RIW and get a true ISA Brown. Don't get me wrong, all the other red sexlink varieties i've had are great too. You will be very happy with your pullets and their egg-laying talents.

I am including a link about ISA Browns for two reasons.
1) In most ways your pullets closely resemble true ISA Browns.
2) The article mentions the copyrighted/protected/proprietary formula of a true ISA Brown.

https://learnpoultry.com/isa-brown-chickens/

 

[ninafe]

I am including a link about ISA Browns for two reasons.
1) In most ways your pullets closely resemble true ISA Browns.
2) The article mentions the copyrighted/protected/proprietary formula of a true ISA Brown.

https://learnpoultry.com/isa-brown-chickens/

Thanks for the info! It is too sad tbat ISA browns have a much shorter life span due to high egg production. I’d rather them giving me fewer eggs than getting cancer, especially I’m raising them more as pets rather than for eggs and meat.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks for the info! It is too sad tbat ISA browns have a much shorter life span due to high egg production. I’d rather them giving me fewer eggs than getting cancer, especially I’m raising them more as pets rather than for eggs and meat.

It's unfortunate you ended up with production hybrids instead of RIRs like you originally planned on buying. If you end up getting more chicks in the future, best to look up what each breed of chick looks like (I've literally pulled out my phone in a store to do quick research) to improve the odds that you take home the breeds you want.

 

[ninafe]

It's unfortunate you ended up with production hybrids instead of RIRs like you originally planned on buying. If you end up getting more chicks in the future, best to look up what each breed of chick looks like (I've literally pulled out my phone in a store to do quick research) to improve the odds that you take home the breeds you want.

Yes lesson learned!!! It’s just that…. Who would’ve thought people would sell the wrong kind of living creatures?! Idk… it was bizarre to me.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I've literally pulled out my phone in a store to do quick research) to improve the odds that you take home the breeds you want.

I have done the same Many times.

Yes lesson learned!!! It’s just that…. Who would’ve thought people would sell the wrong kind of living creatures?! Idk… it was bizarre to me.

Tractor Supply has a reputation for doing just that. They get the breeds right much more than they get them wrong. But there are plenty of people on byc who have the same stories as you.

 

[ninafe]

Hi guys! I feel so bad for starting a new thread every time I have a question so I wanted to continue to post here hoping you all can still see it My girls are about 3 - 3.5 week old now and have been very active. This morning however I noticed some not so nice behaviors in the brooder. One chick (I hope it's still a she) was trying to intimidate another smaller chick by puffing her chest and flapping her wings and charging towards the chick). The other chick did not back down and also flapped her wings and charged back. The unpleasant interaction quickly ended but I was disturbed. Do we have a bully in the house?

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

No not a bully, just normal chicks working out their pecking order. While the process can be disturbing to watch, It's actually much better for them to determine their pecking order when they are still young. By the time they reach point of lay, you will have a peaceful flock where every one knows her place.

 

[ninafe]

No not a bully, just normal chicks working out their pecking order. While the process can be disturbing to watch, It's actually much better for them to determine their pecking order when they are still young. By the time they reach point of lay, you will have a peaceful flock where every one knows her place.

So interesting!! I've been working on their names so maybe I will name the bigger one Regina George.

 

[ninafe]

Tonight is the chicks first field trip! They are in the stage where the only way to get from A to B is by flying….. I assume it’s just their nature? I can totally see them flying over our fence one day.

 

[mangotangolango]

It's unfortunately very common for Tractor Supply chicks to be put in the wrong bin, or for employees to not know what they're looking at when it comes to the chicks they supply (though it sounds like the employee you spoke with at least had some base chicken knowledge, better than most!). NatJ described why your chicks can't be any of those breeds, because the colors are all wrong. The white wing feathers from reddish chicks are a dead giveaway for red sexlink chicks.

We thought we got silkies , we got polish instead.