Just Ordered Chicks (for October 2nd)! Ack!

[cdstewart]

I got them!! YAY! Super excited. 4 RIR's just about 2 weeks old today. They are absolutely adorable!! I asked for bands when we were there but they don't sell them. I was like Oh Well, maybe we can tell them apart. Oh yes certainly!! They all have different coloring especially on their heads so they already have nicknames until we can name them based on personality. We brought a box with construction sand with us and placed them in there for the 3 hour ride home. We asked about food or water but were told they would be fine.

It was apparent that they were thirsty and hungry because the incessant picking started just a few minutes down the road. Some were even drawing blood and I was in a PANIC! One was particularly aggressive and she was on the small side. I was hoping I had someone to call to make sure this was normal behavior. I picked them up a couple at a time and let them ride on my lap. They got so cozy and comfy with me. I would go about 20 minutes then trade them out for the other two in the box. The whole way home I did this. They were already showing so much character! We had one that is the biggest and she could fly up on the edge of the box. Another was just obsessed with traveling up my arm and getting to my shoulder so she could pick on my hair.

We survived the trip, got them into their brooder. They drank and ate like there was no tomorrow! It is 90 in my garage so I opted not to have a brooder light in there due to their age. They are happy and content, bellies full, roosting together and hardly a peep out of them.

Riding on my lap on the way home

Home and they have figured out how to eat!

One of my girls who insisted on riding my arm the whole way home!

Happy healthy, CUTE!!!!

Kristine

Gorgeous and great brooder!!!!

 

[akelley]

I let my chicks outside for the first time today. They can catch bugs like pros already; even if they are only 2.5 weeks.

 

[chippysmom327]

I let my chicks outside for the first time today. They can catch bugs like pros already; even if they are only 2.5 weeks.

Awwwwe When I let my
first chicks out (I hatched 10) they were all so excited and ran all around.

The second batch (only 2) just stood there and stared at me and looked around. They were scared so I brought them back inside when they didn't move for 15 minutes.

 

[akelley]

Awwwwe When I let my
first chicks out (I hatched 10) they were all so excited and ran all around.

The second batch (only 2) just stood there and stared at me and looked around. They were scared so I brought them back inside when they didn't move for 15 minutes.

I brought mine out in a laundry basket which the refusef to leave. Then one got pushed out, and saw an ant crawl by, then all the others got curious and by the time I brought them back inside, everyone was pecking and scratching and acting like chickens!

 

[chippysmom327]

I brought mine out in a laundry basket which the refusef to leave. Then one got pushed out, and saw an ant crawl by, then all the others got curious and by the time I brought them back inside, everyone was pecking and scratching and acting like chickens!

I just love seeing them transform into real chickens!

 

[akelley]

I just love seeing them transform into real chickens!

I know! They are all so ragged, and getting new feathers in handfuls! A few of them stood tall and watched over the others while they were outside today; I can't wait to see how they'll turn out as adults!

 

[kpgoldstar]

I let my chicks outside for the first time today. They can catch bugs like pros already; even if they are only 2.5 weeks.

They are adorable. I let mine out onto the lawn when they were about your same age. I hardly have bugs in AZ, but they forage through it like there are. At the edge of the grass is the start of my garden but there is a fence there. It is dirt with some crabgrass that hangs over from the lawn. They will be 4 weeks Tuesday and even last weekend a couple of my more mellow/lazy girls figured out how to take a dust bath in that area. I was surprised at that age! They nestle on into the dirt, kick out their feet, kick dirt up everywhere! It is hilarious! I use my old garden fence barriers and we closed off about 35 sq ft of the lawn for them to roam before we introduce them to where the pool is and let them free range. One has already figured out how to fly to the top of the fence, almost 18". I need to watch You tube to find out how to clip their wings. Can't have one scale the wall and end up flying into the pool while my back is turned. They got to spend all day in their newly assembled run/coop. Better than in the brooder box in the garage. It was near 90 today so they are perfectly fine outside. They will go to bed each night in the brooder, but spend their days in the run until 5 weeks when they will be in the coop for good at night.

 

[akelley]

My babies will be 4 weeks old on Wednesday. The weather has been quite nice, so they will be making the move out to their coop next weekend.

They are getting messy and loud! I'm starting to be able to tell my pullets from my roos; especially the wyandottes. I'm looking forward to them being outside and enjoying their new coop (and not making a mess of my guest room!)

I sprinkled mealworms on their bedding. They scratched away all afternoon!

 

[kpgoldstar]

I moved my girls out to the coop at just barely over 4 weeks. Days were 90, nights 60. They act as if they are in prison out there. They are just way too spoiled with the caged off lawn during the day. Trust me the coop is so much roomier and better than the brooder box. Every time I open the door to feed or water, they race out the door thinking it is time to free range. Tonight was the first wind. It feels really cold out there. Thankfully the coop is located where it is not as exposed to the wind.
I am somewhat regretting having all the same breed. They are getting harder to tell apart. I know they may or may not even know their names as they get older but there are fewer traits and markings distinguishing them. I need to take some new pics and share. Next couple days I promise. Have any of yours taken to kitchen scraps? I have tried tomato diced, melon, spaghetti squash, wild rice, lettuce, kale, thinnings from beets, even apples. They have turned up their noses at all of it. Too soon?

 

[akelley]

Mine love mealworms, but have not wanted anything to do with the kale I tried to give them. I'm waiting until they're in the coop before I give them anything else.