Is my baby chick too attached to me?

[Arcane Araucana]

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I got 22 large fowl rumpless/tufted araucana hatching eggs from Araucanasonline in Bellingham, WA in March. Out of the 22, 17 were viable on the 19th day in the incubator, and on April 9th, 8 pipped. 7 hatched and one died in the process. Out of the 7 - 5 turned out to be roosters, 4 of which were re-homed. I kept the 2 pullets and 1 roo that I am hoping will provide some fertile eggs so I can get a couple more girls. All I'm saying is that I was told that true tufted araucanas have a high mortality rate in the last few days of hatching because of the tufted gene. This was my very first time hatching eggs and raising chickens. I was a nervous wreck the entire time! I don't know if Sky Blue provides extra eggs. I actually bid on 12 eggs, so I was really surprised when I got 22 (with none broken in shipping). When I asked about it, I was told they provide extra eggs to insure a successful hatch what with shipping/handling and the tufted gene. Personally, I think they included the extra eggs because they knew I was an idiot with no experience whatsoever!!

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck and fun and that you get your eggs soon. Excelsior! is a lucky girl.

 

[MadHatcher]

Oh wow! That's a great start for your araucana breeding program. I've also heard that araucana eggs are very hard to hatch out but, I couldn't resist trying them since they are such a rare and interesting breed. I feel that if I only ever get to keep two chickens they might as well be "fancy" but, little buff orps have always had a special place in my heart (I think their fluffy butts are just too cute!) and when I was offered one I couldn't refuse... especially since I've been waiting months and months for the hatching eggs... I've been having chicken rearing cravings for too long!! haha

I'd love to be kept abreast of your flock's goings on... Are any of your three tufted or rumpless?

 

[SilkieTime]

At 3 weeks old 80 degrees is good, over that is a little to hot. You start out a 95 then subtract 5 degrees every week. You have and pictures of your baby?

 

[drumstick diva]

My friend has 4 house chickens(no diapers) and she would love one like yours. She spoils hers badly but with others around they, aren't so affectionate. She doesn't "see" any problems but she gives them treats,treats, and more treats , lets them drink coffee from her cup, eat out of her dish etc. all of this causes them to turn up their nose to chicken feed. When she eats junk food, so do they. Heck, I'd pick ice cream over veggies any day. I would think hers are not getting the proper nutrition that chicken food provides.

I would love your chick myself, it certainly sounds like she can/will be potty trained easily. Maybe you could train her to a kitty litter box.. and not need a diaper. Wish you would shoot a video for youtube so we can all enjoy her antics. What a tweety pie.

 

[MadHatcher]

They eat ice cream? Wow I never thought of feeding chickens that... so far I've given my girl some yogurt, tomato, avocado, blueberry and bread for treats. She is so active I wish she'd eat more... I never see her actually eat any chicken starter mash... invisible bugs aplenty though! I'll keep the youtube video in mind and try to post some pictures tonight after work!

 

[Suburban Sprouts]

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Me too!

 

[Suburban Sprouts]

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MadHatcher - Avocados are toxic to birds. I would avoid feeding that any more!!

 

[MadHatcher]

Well... that would explain why she didn't want anymore than the first bite

Thank you for the heads up!!

 

[Arcane Araucana]

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I PMed you so we can stay in touch. Of the 7, 6 are rumpless and 2 two have tufts. They are 2 BBRs, 4 duckwings (1 with tufts), and 1 AOV (with tufts). The AOV and 1 of the BBRs are pullets. I kept the silver (I think) duckwing roo. They are all really pretty birds and very friendly so I didn't have any problem finding homes for the 4 roos. I'd post pictures but I don't want to highjack your thread

 

[chics in the sun]

I had a single EE chick around 3 weeks old for a short while, and I couldn't stand how lonely she seemed. She was very bonded to us, too, but she didn't seem to eat much, either. I couldn't believe the change in her appetite and activity level after we put another chick in with her. She is so much happier now that she has a friend, and introducing her to the established flock will also be easier now.