Meyer Hatchery Chicken pics anyone??

[autumnhearth]

Our little girls have found a way to sneak out of the run. I blocked off any hole I could find but I think they are squeezing between the poles at the gate. This morning they were all out and running around. The big girls were very jealous so I let them out too. The dogs were ignoring them like they usually do. The only dog I have to remind is our puppy. He's still learning that they aren't toys. I went back in to finish packing the kitchen. The pup follows me everywhere so I wasn't worried about him, he was inside with me. I got distracted and then ran out to go to the library and return some books, I got about 2 blocks away and my daughter called and said to come home right away. The puppy decided to play with one of the little chicks since I had left. I had totally forgot everyone was out. I would've put them up before I left had I remembered. Dang it! My daughter said our big dog was very worried and nervous, and kept poking them. Her attitude is what made her and her friend start looking around. They saw the feathers in the puppy's mouth so they knew it was him. I think our big dog will make a great farm dog.

She is alive but in shock. She has a small sore on her head and a minor abrasion on her leg. It's the head wound that worries me. It's hard to tell how serious it is. There is no blood, just a bare spot. My daughter's friend thinks the skull is cracked. I didn't want to poke around at it too much. I'm hoping it's just a patch of skin missing. We put some antibiotic ointment on it and she shook for a minute. Then calmed down. She was breathing really hard when we first put her in the hospital container but is back to normal now. She won't open her eyes yet. I can tell she's in shock. We're keeping her warm and in a calm place. In a couple hours I'll dip her beak and make her drink. The bad thing is our house is completely packed up so I don't have any medicine or vitamins, etc. out right now. I had to run to the store to get the antibiotic stuff. I have two bottles of vitamins sitting in a box somewhere! Argh! I hate buying stuff I already have!
Anyone ever heard of giving a chicken kombucha? I have some that I could give her. It's chock full of probiotics.

I hope she makes it. She's our little BO we got from a friend.

Oh no! Fingers crossed for her. Haven't heard of anyone giving it, the probiotics would be good but I would worry about the caffeine http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/03/25/kombucha-myths-vs-truths/ Best of luck!

 

[trsturself]

Thank you, will do. Update on Clara, she's improving more and more everyday. Last night she was able to perch on the low bar in the brooder, both feet on this time (the night before she kept one on the floor), though I don't think she held her spot for the night, lots of shuffling. This morning when I took them out, she flew/jumped to the top of the brooder, almost didn't make it but pulled herself up. I offered my arm for her to ride out as she used to, instead of carrying her as I have these last few days, with some encouragement she stepped on, I went very slow and she kept having check her balance but we made it to the pen and she immediately went over and dust bathed in the fresh loose dirt I added to a bare patched in the lawn. So good to see.

That's good to hear!

 

[autumnhearth]

I would definitely suggest 2! I got 2 from a breeder here in Ohio and I LOVE

them. They have the best personalities. Energetic, but when you handle them they are so calm! It's like they just melt in your hands. One of them (her names Poppy) is the most photogenic of any chicken I have ever had. She just stares into the camera when I hold her- I can even position her head how I want it haha!

Gotta love those poufy crest feathers

Ok that's enough, I literally have like 40 great pictures of her..

On another note, my 7-8 week old babies now have access to the big girl pen... I'm so nervous though! Guess I gotta suck it up, I've heard the integration into the flock goes smoothest at this age- big enough to be with the big gals but small enough they aren't as much of a threat. Still nerve wracking!!

Poppy is lovely! What breeder did you get them from/whereabouts in Ohio are you?

 

[christine9]

On another note, my 7-8 week old babies now have access to the big girl pen... I'm so nervous though! Guess I gotta suck it up, I've heard the integration into the flock goes smoothest at this age- big enough to be with the big gals but small enough they aren't as much of a threat. Still nerve wracking!!

First of all, Poppy is gorgeous!

So I also heard 8 weeks was the magic number for integration. It worked great for me. Don't be too nervous. They are old enough to defend themselves and run and hide. They can handle the pecking. But they are also young enough not to disturb the entire pecking order. Not too much challenging. Good luck!

 

[MamaShell]

Our little girls have found a way to sneak out of the run. I blocked off any hole I could find but I think they are squeezing between the poles at the gate. This morning they were all out and running around. The big girls were very jealous so I let them out too. The dogs were ignoring them like they usually do. The only dog I have to remind is our puppy. He's still learning that they aren't toys. I went back in to finish packing the kitchen. The pup follows me everywhere so I wasn't worried about him, he was inside with me. I got distracted and then ran out to go to the library and return some books, I got about 2 blocks away and my daughter called and said to come home right away. The puppy decided to play with one of the little chicks since I had left. I had totally forgot everyone was out. I would've put them up before I left had I remembered. Dang it! My daughter said our big dog was very worried and nervous, and kept poking them. Her attitude is what made her and her friend start looking around. They saw the feathers in the puppy's mouth so they knew it was him. I think our big dog will make a great farm dog.

She is alive but in shock. She has a small sore on her head and a minor abrasion on her leg. It's the head wound that worries me. It's hard to tell how serious it is. There is no blood, just a bare spot. My daughter's friend thinks the skull is cracked. I didn't want to poke around at it too much. I'm hoping it's just a patch of skin missing. We put some antibiotic ointment on it and she shook for a minute. Then calmed down. She was breathing really hard when we first put her in the hospital container but is back to normal now. She won't open her eyes yet. I can tell she's in shock. We're keeping her warm and in a calm place. In a couple hours I'll dip her beak and make her drink. The bad thing is our house is completely packed up so I don't have any medicine or vitamins, etc. out right now. I had to run to the store to get the antibiotic stuff. I have two bottles of vitamins sitting in a box somewhere! Argh! I hate buying stuff I already have!
Anyone ever heard of giving a chicken kombucha? I have some that I could give her. It's chock full of probiotics. 

I hope she makes it. She's our little BO we got from a friend.

I hope she makes it, too!!!

 

[christine9]

Our little girls have found a way to sneak out of the run. I blocked off any hole I could find but I think they are squeezing between the poles at the gate. This morning they were all out and running around. The big girls were very jealous so I let them out too. The dogs were ignoring them like they usually do. The only dog I have to remind is our puppy. He's still learning that they aren't toys. I went back in to finish packing the kitchen. The pup follows me everywhere so I wasn't worried about him, he was inside with me. I got distracted and then ran out to go to the library and return some books, I got about 2 blocks away and my daughter called and said to come home right away. The puppy decided to play with one of the little chicks since I had left. I had totally forgot everyone was out. I would've put them up before I left had I remembered. Dang it! My daughter said our big dog was very worried and nervous, and kept poking them. Her attitude is what made her and her friend start looking around. They saw the feathers in the puppy's mouth so they knew it was him. I think our big dog will make a great farm dog.

She is alive but in shock. She has a small sore on her head and a minor abrasion on her leg. It's the head wound that worries me. It's hard to tell how serious it is. There is no blood, just a bare spot. My daughter's friend thinks the skull is cracked. I didn't want to poke around at it too much. I'm hoping it's just a patch of skin missing. We put some antibiotic ointment on it and she shook for a minute. Then calmed down. She was breathing really hard when we first put her in the hospital container but is back to normal now. She won't open her eyes yet. I can tell she's in shock. We're keeping her warm and in a calm place. In a couple hours I'll dip her beak and make her drink. The bad thing is our house is completely packed up so I don't have any medicine or vitamins, etc. out right now. I had to run to the store to get the antibiotic stuff. I have two bottles of vitamins sitting in a box somewhere! Argh! I hate buying stuff I already have!
Anyone ever heard of giving a chicken kombucha? I have some that I could give her. It's chock full of probiotics. 

I hope she makes it. She's our little BO we got from a friend.

Sounds like you're on the right track. I hope she comes around.

 

[NanaLynn]

I would definitely suggest 2! I got 2 from a breeder here in Ohio and I LOVE

them. They have the best personalities. Energetic, but when you handle them they are so calm! It's like they just melt in your hands. One of them (her names Poppy) is the most photogenic of any chicken I have ever had. She just stares into the camera when I hold her- I can even position her head how I want it haha!

Gotta love those poufy crest feathers

Ok that's enough, I literally have like 40 great pictures of her..

On another note, my 7-8 week old babies now have access to the big girl pen... I'm so nervous though! Guess I gotta suck it up, I've heard the integration into the flock goes smoothest at this age- big enough to be with the big gals but small enough they aren't as much of a threat. Still nerve wracking!!

She is a chicken super model! So pretty and loves the camera!

I integrated even earlier I think but I put them together but separate for a week then slowly gave the young ones access to mix in with the bigger girls if they wanted to. Eventually they all were mixing in with the big girls but I left the fencing up for a run away place where only the littles could fit. Soon as they were too big to fit, I took the fencing down. Also set up two separate feeders for awhile, so the little ones can have access to their own if the big girls don't share.
Good luck! Always a stressful time.

Our little girls have found a way to sneak out of the run. I blocked off any hole I could find but I think they are squeezing between the poles at the gate. This morning they were all out and running around. The big girls were very jealous so I let them out too. The dogs were ignoring them like they usually do. The only dog I have to remind is our puppy. He's still learning that they aren't toys. I went back in to finish packing the kitchen. The pup follows me everywhere so I wasn't worried about him, he was inside with me. I got distracted and then ran out to go to the library and return some books, I got about 2 blocks away and my daughter called and said to come home right away. The puppy decided to play with one of the little chicks since I had left. I had totally forgot everyone was out. I would've put them up before I left had I remembered. Dang it! My daughter said our big dog was very worried and nervous, and kept poking them. Her attitude is what made her and her friend start looking around. They saw the feathers in the puppy's mouth so they knew it was him. I think our big dog will make a great farm dog.

She is alive but in shock. She has a small sore on her head and a minor abrasion on her leg. It's the head wound that worries me. It's hard to tell how serious it is. There is no blood, just a bare spot. My daughter's friend thinks the skull is cracked. I didn't want to poke around at it too much. I'm hoping it's just a patch of skin missing. We put some antibiotic ointment on it and she shook for a minute. Then calmed down. She was breathing really hard when we first put her in the hospital container but is back to normal now. She won't open her eyes yet. I can tell she's in shock. We're keeping her warm and in a calm place. In a couple hours I'll dip her beak and make her drink. The bad thing is our house is completely packed up so I don't have any medicine or vitamins, etc. out right now. I had to run to the store to get the antibiotic stuff. I have two bottles of vitamins sitting in a box somewhere! Argh! I hate buying stuff I already have!
Anyone ever heard of giving a chicken kombucha? I have some that I could give her. It's chock full of probiotics.

I hope she makes it. She's our little BO we got from a friend.

Oh no, I hope she pulls through okay. I am so worried about doing the same thing. We almost had a mishap when my son and daughter in law came to visit. She opened the garage door while all the chickens were free ranging and our dog Maxie ran right out. Thank goodness my son tackled her and put her back in the garage. Close call! That's great that you have some dogs that do not hurt the chickens.

Thank you, will do. Update on Clara, she's improving more and more everyday. Last night she was able to perch on the low bar in the brooder, both feet on this time (the night before she kept one on the floor), though I don't think she held her spot for the night, lots of shuffling. This morning when I took them out, she flew/jumped to the top of the brooder, almost didn't make it but pulled herself up. I offered my arm for her to ride out as she used to, instead of carrying her as I have these last few days, with some encouragement she stepped on, I went very slow and she kept having check her balance but we made it to the pen and she immediately went over and dust bathed in the fresh loose dirt I added to a bare patched in the lawn. So good to see.

Good news! Sounds like she is snapping out of it slowly.

We had this little tiny egg the other day in the nest box. It was only .6 ounces. It didn't have a yolk. It was the perfect egg shape though. I love little surprises.

 

[NotableNancy]

Nancy- since I switched to pellets, I've noticed so much less waste. I wonder if you switched completely to pellets if it would eliminate the molding. If they are eating it all up out of the sand, it can't mold, right?

I'm not sure what those stinkers are looking for in the feeder. Moving it all around. Like they're looking for the prize at the bottom of the cereal box! They knock out pellets just as much as crumble. I found a small piece of plywood to put under it and it's covered in feed. I lifted the feeder a little higher and we'll see what happens with that.. I'll just keep playing with it.
I have one of those black rubber bowls... I could just get a few of those and put on wood and maybe that would work?? Does anyone use those as feeders??

Sorry I didn't respond earlier, busy weekend!
The EEs are doing well. No eggs yet. I just moved them from the brooder in the garage to their small temporary coop.



They are settling in well. I just have to figure out how to get my dogs to stop barking at them!

So cute. Hope you get eggs soon!!

Poopy donation to the neighbors with gardens?

So far I have not had the problem of too much. I do have plenty of areas that need the fertilizer though, so I'll move the deep litter to the compost for awhile and then spread it around those areas. If you were closer I'd come by to collect yours too.

Seriously though, there may be an avid gardener that would appreciate it around you.

You do have a lot of feeders, I have 2 different sizes from TSC, plus the long red one for the chicks. I guess if you can just figure out a way for the feed not to spill into areas that they cannot clean up. I had that problem in my last coop too.

I watched them for a little bit today and adjusted the height of the feeder. Maybe that will help. And put the plywood under it.
BUT, I'm going to be integrating my little ones in a week or so (they're 8 weeks old this Sunday) so I need to have a few lower feeders for them also.

I would definitely suggest 2! I got 2 from a breeder here in Ohio and I LOVE

them. They have the best personalities. Energetic, but when you handle them they are so calm! It's like they just melt in your hands. One of them (her names Poppy) is the most photogenic of any chicken I have ever had. She just stares into the camera when I hold her- I can even position her head how I want it haha!

Gotta love those poufy crest feathers

Ok that's enough, I literally have like 40 great pictures of her..

On another note, my 7-8 week old babies now have access to the big girl pen... I'm so nervous though! Guess I gotta suck it up, I've heard the integration into the flock goes smoothest at this age- big enough to be with the big gals but small enough they aren't as much of a threat. Still nerve wracking!!

So cute!!! I have 2 as well and they're a bit shy. I have to try holding them more now that they're older. They didn't like it as chicks but maybe now??

Our little girls have found a way to sneak out of the run. I blocked off any hole I could find but I think they are squeezing between the poles at the gate. This morning they were all out and running around. The big girls were very jealous so I let them out too. The dogs were ignoring them like they usually do. The only dog I have to remind is our puppy. He's still learning that they aren't toys. I went back in to finish packing the kitchen. The pup follows me everywhere so I wasn't worried about him, he was inside with me. I got distracted and then ran out to go to the library and return some books, I got about 2 blocks away and my daughter called and said to come home right away. The puppy decided to play with one of the little chicks since I had left. I had totally forgot everyone was out. I would've put them up before I left had I remembered. Dang it! My daughter said our big dog was very worried and nervous, and kept poking them. Her attitude is what made her and her friend start looking around. They saw the feathers in the puppy's mouth so they knew it was him. I think our big dog will make a great farm dog.

She is alive but in shock. She has a small sore on her head and a minor abrasion on her leg. It's the head wound that worries me. It's hard to tell how serious it is. There is no blood, just a bare spot. My daughter's friend thinks the skull is cracked. I didn't want to poke around at it too much. I'm hoping it's just a patch of skin missing. We put some antibiotic ointment on it and she shook for a minute. Then calmed down. She was breathing really hard when we first put her in the hospital container but is back to normal now. She won't open her eyes yet. I can tell she's in shock. We're keeping her warm and in a calm place. In a couple hours I'll dip her beak and make her drink. The bad thing is our house is completely packed up so I don't have any medicine or vitamins, etc. out right now. I had to run to the store to get the antibiotic stuff. I have two bottles of vitamins sitting in a box somewhere! Argh! I hate buying stuff I already have!
Anyone ever heard of giving a chicken kombucha? I have some that I could give her. It's chock full of probiotics.

I hope she makes it. She's our little BO we got from a friend.

Oh no. I hope she makes it too. I never heard of kombucha. I would give electrolytes and let her rest. Fingers crossed!!

First of all, Poppy is gorgeous!

So I also heard 8 weeks was the magic number for integration. It worked great for me. Don't be too nervous. They are old enough to defend themselves and run and hide. They can handle the pecking. But they are also young enough not to disturb the entire pecking order. Not too much challenging. Good luck!

I'll be starting with this too in a week or so. My DH has to build a little bridge to connect the 2 coops so they can get back and forth. It will be nerve-racking for sure. I know I'm going to want to intervene but will try not to.

She is a chicken super model! So pretty and loves the camera!

I integrated even earlier I think but I put them together but separate for a week then slowly gave the young ones access to mix in with the bigger girls if they wanted to. Eventually they all were mixing in with the big girls but I left the fencing up for a run away place where only the littles could fit. Soon as they were too big to fit, I took the fencing down. Also set up two separate feeders for awhile, so the little ones can have access to their own if the big girls don't share.
Good luck! Always a stressful time.

We had this little tiny egg the other day in the nest box. It was only .6 ounces. It didn't have a yolk. It was the perfect egg shape though. I love little surprises.

Mine can see each other from their runs and when I let the big girls out they really check out the little ones. Pipsqueak my CW was getting her neck feathers all fluffed up while she was checking them out. LOL tough girl.
And cute egg too... do you know who laid it? it couldn't be a first egg for one of your girls could it?

 

[daniellea2912]

Poppy is lovely! What breeder did you get them from/whereabouts in Ohio are you?

I got them from a breeder in Greenville, Ohio but I just saw on a thread a few weeks ago she has since gotten rid of her flock

I believe she needed more time with her growing family.

First of all, Poppy is gorgeous!

So I also heard 8 weeks was the magic number for integration. It worked great for me. Don't be too nervous. They are old enough to defend themselves and run and hide. They can handle the pecking. But they are also young enough not to disturb the entire pecking order. Not too much challenging. Good luck!

She is a chicken super model! So pretty and loves the camera!

I integrated even earlier I think but I put them together but separate for a week then slowly gave the young ones access to mix in with the bigger girls if they wanted to. Eventually they all were mixing in with the big girls but I left the fencing up for a run away place where only the littles could fit. Soon as they were too big to fit, I took the fencing down. Also set up two separate feeders for awhile, so the little ones can have access to their own if the big girls don't share.
Good luck! Always a stressful time.

Thanks! I think she's quite beautiful as well, but I am quite biased

They seem to be doing as well as I could expect. I would have integrated them earlier but my flock ranges in a pasture all day so I felt it was safer for them to spend a few weeks in the fully enclosed run. They have a good set up right now- access to the pasture and whole coop, but they can also get back in their old grow out pen within the coop, and the opening into it is too small for the hens to get in... hopefully that gives them a place to get away from the big girls if they need to. Except for 2 of the chicks, they haven't made it past scratching around in the coop but I am hoping it won't rain so much tomorrow and they will venture out.

So cute!!! I have 2 as well and they're a bit shy. I have to try holding them more now that they're older. They didn't like it as chicks but maybe now??

Mine aren't very easy to catch yet, but will come for treats... and once I manage to catch them they don't fight much to get away. I try to hold them each once a day, only for a short time so its a positive experience for them, and it seems to really be calming them down pretty quickly. I haven't had very good luck taming chicks under 4 or 5 weeks, I think when they are younger they think they just have that prey mentality of RUN! when anything bigger than them comes along- at least that is my experience. I'm sure yours will settle down, if anything you can always try and influence them with treats

 

[Bandy Chicken]

I would love to know where the Greenville hatchery is. I live in Urbana and would love to pick up the next ones we get instead of having them shipped if they're as nice as the ones we just got from Meyer's!