INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CRSelvey]

Hi Everyone, I would really like some advice. I brought those little OEGB roos home the other day and I think they are gorgeous, but they are not being nice to the two Easter Egger hens that they gave me at the same time. One of them has almost all of her back feathers missing and they all seem to attack her. The other one is being protected by the Rosecomb banty that came with them. I'd rather have the hen than the roos even if they are beautiful.

Also, I have two other cockerels that are about 3 mo old, so should I worry that they will be too much for my 6 hens when they grow up? Basically, I'm worried that I have 5 roos too many. Sometimes being a newby is just confusing.

 

[itsjustme]

What i do is just sit out in the run and talk to them and put some feed in my hand. They will get brave and come up to you to see what you have. Then i let them eat out of my hand and try to pet it and also talk to it. After doing this several times it will get use to you and trust you.

 

[itsjustme]

My kids and I have always held our chicks from day one. Iv always started with day olds though or hatched my own. In that case we wait until they are out of the bator and have spent some time getting use to the brooder and make sure they are eating and drinking well. Iv not lost a chick to stress or anything for that matter. ( and with all the babies I have due I'm crossing my fingers I don't start now) lol if they are older chicks not use to being handled or chicks we let oyr hen hatch and raise we do it as cluck suggested just go out in their run and spend some time with them. Let them eat from your hand and get use to you. When thwy belong to. Hen its a little easier exspecially if she will come right to you. It makes the babies less nervous. And I got luck with the last hen she's not aggressive at all and likes to show off her chicks. I have 1 hen I dont thinkl I'm going to be as lucky with. I can hear het growl as soon as I walk into the coop lol I figure its only going to get worse when they hatch. Lol I would say don't worry so much. Use you instincts and if you want to hold your babys hold them. We have turkey poults who will run to peck your fingers off when u stick a hand in there. Peep loudly when u first pick them up but with in seconds are snuggled up against you fast asleep.

 

[itsjustme]

My kids and I have always held our chicks from day one. Iv always started with day olds though or hatched my own. In that case we wait until they are out of the bator and have spent some time getting use to the brooder and make sure they are eating and drinking well. Iv not lost a chick to stress or anything for that matter. ( and with all the babies I have due I'm crossing my fingers I don't start now) lol if they are older chicks not use to being handled or chicks we let oyr hen hatch and raise we do it as cluck suggested just go out in their run and spend some time with them. Let them eat from your hand and get use to you. When thwy belong to. Hen its a little easier exspecially if she will come right to you. It makes the babies less nervous. And I got luck with the last hen she's not aggressive at all and likes to show off her chicks. I have 1 hen I dont thinkl I'm going to be as lucky with. I can hear het growl as soon as I walk into the coop lol I figure its only going to get worse when they hatch. Lol I would say don't worry so much. Use you instincts and if you want to hold your babys hold them. We have turkey poults who will run to peck your fingers off when u stick a hand in there. Peep loudly when u first pick them up but with in seconds are snuggled up against you fast asleep.

 

[itsjustme]

Sheesh sorry about the quote with no quote then the double post idk what's wrong with this thing?

 

[ShawnaScott]

Anyone have any purebred cockerels they would like to get rid of? We are looking for a couple for our pullets that will startvlaying in july we have 40 so need at least 2 more roos and dh wont let me pay for any since we give our extras away

What breed?

Anyone have any tips about what TO do when trying to get your chicks used to you?

I was thinking about what M2H and I were talking about how all the books say don't handle them/stress them. I know that I need to but I am kind of lost on where to start.

I let one of my SFH run up my arm and run around on my shoulders during her turn in front of the camera. It seemed to like that.

When mine were little I would sing to them to get them used to my voice. It's a little hokey, but I felt weird talking to a bin of chicks! I also held feed in my hand and gave them yogurt when I came down so that they would start to associate good food with me. I sat in the brooder with them too. Once they got older I gave them different treats and now they love me! BLW, I LOVE your SFH's! I am so jealous, where did you get them? I know their is a breeder a couple hours north of me, but I have yet to convince DH that chickens warrant a two hour drive....

Hi Everyone, I would really like some advice. I brought those little OEGB roos home the other day and I think they are gorgeous, but they are not being nice to the two Easter Egger hens that they gave me at the same time. One of them has almost all of her back feathers missing and they all seem to attack her. The other one is being protected by the Rosecomb banty that came with them. I'd rather have the hen than the roos even if they are beautiful.

Also, I have two other cockerels that are about 3 mo old, so should I worry that they will be too much for my 6 hens when they grow up? Basically, I'm worried that I have 5 roos too many. Sometimes being a newby is just confusing.

I had a similar problem. First, I took the hens that were getting picked on out, and then I covered their sores/bare spots in blue lotion. Then I removed the troublemakers and put the injured chicks back in. The next day I reintroduced the mean chicks and spent some time with the group. If the chicks went to pick on one, I would "peck" him with my fingers. They quit after a couple times of me doing it!

 

[jsummers]

What breed?

When mine were little I would sing to them to get them used to my voice. It's a little hokey, but I felt weird talking to a bin of chicks! I also held feed in my hand and gave them yogurt when I came down so that they would start to associate good food with me. I sat in the brooder with them too. Once they got older I gave them different treats and now they love me! BLW, I LOVE your SFH's! I am so jealous, where did you get them? I know their is a breeder a couple hours north of me, but I have yet to convince DH that chickens warrant a two hour drive....
I had a similar problem. First, I took the hens that were getting picked on out, and then I covered their sores/bare spots in blue lotion. Then I removed the troublemakers and put the injured chicks back in. The next day I reintroduced the mean chicks and spent some time with the group. If the chicks went to pick on one, I would "peck" him with my fingers. They quit after a couple times of me doing it!

Quote:
Originally Posted by danand

Jsummers- I'm not sure how far you are from me? I have RIR, GLW, Millie and a white Leghorn. All hatchery birds. But free!!! I do go to Indy a lot if that would help?
Ok i live like 5 minutes south of anderson, in so, pendleton, greenfield, new castle, anderson thats about the area i travel oh and muncie, not very often though. As for breeds i like the colorful ones that get big! We have only blues right now both cast offs also cochin and maran. I dont really care what breed my son just likes showing the roos in 4h and we usually get him a hen to match so he has a pair. He like the roos best! I like the new hampshires the marans with they red and black and the barred rocks but like i said and standard fowl is fine with me!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Then raise your own silly.

I do, but I was hoping to pick up a few more little fluffy chicks (i don't really need, but can you have to many) lol. I have some eggs due to hatch 15th, BBS Ameraucanas.

 

[CountryHen19]

What i do is just sit out in the run and talk to them and put some feed in my hand. They will get brave and come up to you to see what you have. Then i let them eat out of my hand and try to pet it and also talk to it. After doing this several times it will get use to you and trust you.

That sounds do-able! Thanks CluckAcres

 

[BackyardBitten]

ok so here it goes: i must make a confession. Went to the feed store cuz i really needed some feed and i decided to just buy some already bagged scratch. Saw that they still had chicks, and this was a big shipment cuz their brooder pens were full. they said this would probably be their absolute last shipment.
I DID IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! uuuggghhhh

i bought two more ameraucana pullets!!! I was able to get them home and smuggle them into the house before my boyfriend got home! my chicken math has escalated. I just couldn't help myself, they were sooooo cute and different colors than the ones i got 5 weeks ago. oh man-- i don't think i will ever be cured!

Hello, my name is BackYardBitten, I am a chick-aholic and I had a relapse today with two more ameraucana chicks.
(at this present time, my DBF still has not noticed the newest editions yet hehehehe