Michigan

[Hillbilly Hen]

I got my green rose
(Not as exciting as a chick, but i really wanted this)

SWEET!!

 

[BobBry]

Good morning all!!
Bright and sunny day - I'll take all we can get this winter!!!

Snowflake, BobBry, my sister did approve of me having chickens. She wants to use the old coop up by the house which is a long way from the horses. There are a couple paddocks up here that are used sometimes. So I'm going to refurbish (polite way of saying its going to be a lot of work) the coop and build a sizable and secure run for them. I will only free range when the horses aren't using the near-by paddocks.

Thanks for everyone's concern and helpful advice. Sorry to here about your hen RaZ.

Dan

Glad things are working out for you, Dan & sister.

bob

 

[RBahmer]

Good morning all!!
Bright and sunny day - I'll take all we can get this winter!!!

Snowflake, BobBry, my sister did approve of me having chickens. She wants to use the old coop up by the house which is a long way from the horses. There are a couple paddocks up here that are used sometimes. So I'm going to refurbish (polite way of saying its going to be a lot of work) the coop and build a sizable and secure run for them. I will only free range when the horses aren't using the near-by paddocks.

Thanks for everyone's concern and helpful advice. Sorry to here about your hen RaZ.

Dan

 

[NovaAman]

I did massage the crop when I caught her coming out of the coop this morning. Then she went and hid in the under run... Now she is out scratching in the soft dirt under the leaves, digging up bugs. I tried to catch her again, but she's wise to me now. So, in 6 hours I will snatch her off the roost, and hope she hasn't done worse. The knot felt about golf ball sized.... Man oh man.... She did not lay any eggs today. However she is not all huddled in a ball now.

Skatter on the other hand did. She got right in with skeeter and deposited an egg... And skeeter being skeeter tucked it right in with the chicks. Silly chicken! No more eggs for you!

 

[taprock]

I have some chick pictures. One question. Several of the chicks look like their feathers are wet but they are actually dry. I thought the humidity was too high in the incubator for them to dry, so a couple hours after the last hatch I moved them to the brooder. The feathers feel hard almost as if they had mousse or gel on them. I have never had this happen before. Also in the bottom of the brooder there are lots of what looks like broken off feather. Anyone have any ideas?

In the incubator waiting for the last chick. They were pecking at the pip trying to help for a while.
Earl the only one named. Ameraucana
Welsummer, you can see the feather pieces on her.

Maran, this is the one with the biggest feather issues.

Cochin, it's feathers are also a bit hard.

Polish. I don't see a prominent crest bump so I'm thinking another Polishegger. My roosters are Polish, Ameraucana and Welsummer so I'll be watching to see what traits show up in each.

 

[RBahmer]

I have some chick pictures. One question. Several of the chicks look like their feathers are wet but they are actually dry. I thought the humidity was too high in the incubator for them to dry, so a couple hours after the last hatch I moved them to the brooder. The feathers feel hard almost as if they had mousse or gel on them. I have never had this happen before. Also in the bottom of the brooder there are lots of what looks like broken off feather. Anyone have any ideas?

In the incubator waiting for the last chick. They were pecking at the pip trying to help for a while.
Earl the only one named. Ameraucana
Welsummer, you can see the feather pieces on her.

Maran, this is the one with the biggest feather issues.

Cochin, it's feathers are also a bit hard.

Polish. I don't see a prominent crest bump so I'm thinking another Polishegger. My roosters are Polish, Ameraucana and Welsummer so I'll be watching to see what traits show up in each.

Awwww how cute chicks. Congrats.

 

[M.sue]

Awww...they look so cute. Maybe once they are out and handled or snuggle under the heat lamp the feathers will soften up.

 

[Bianca67]

they are toooo cute!

 

[Olive Hill]

I have some chick pictures. One question. Several of the chicks look like their feathers are wet but they are actually dry. I thought the humidity was too high in the incubator for them to dry, so a couple hours after the last hatch I moved them to the brooder. The feathers feel hard almost as if they had mousse or gel on them. I have never had this happen before. Also in the bottom of the brooder there are lots of what looks like broken off feather. Anyone have any ideas?

Perfectly normal, perfectly healthy. Too late for this time but in the future, do not open the bator until all chicks have hatched. Think of it as a rule, not a suggestion. If it were a suggestion it would be called close-it-and-only-open-it-if-you-think-of-a-good-excuse rather than Lockdown. LOCK it down. Don't open it. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. No exceptions.

 

[dmclalin]

Hillbilly Hen, Thanks. I am going to raise Black (maybe white too) Javas. I met a lady in Willis, MI that raises them and I will get some from her this Spring. I was also thinking of maybe a couple Guineas.

RBahmer, Thanks. Those baby chicks are so cute! No wonder it is so easy to fall in love with them.

M.sue, Nice job on the nail trimming. That pant leg looks like a great idea. I wondered if the noisy dremmel would scare them. You guys are brave. I don't even like to trim my cats and dogs nails. I always try to time it with vet visits. LOL

BobBry, I told her I wanted fresh eggs and that she would also get them. What sold her was I told her I have indoor cats and I want some outdoor pets. I guess I could get dogs, but they don't lay eggs, they don't eat weeds or bugs, or fertilize.

My coop has about about 10 years of storage, wood scraps, hoses, etc. but it can be fixed up. New roof anyway. No run. I'll have to build that by scratch. I guess I better get busy! I have some pics of coop on my profile page. I need to add more vents, and an entry door. And not to mention moving a wood pile.