MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

She's been amazing! I'm wondering whether I ought to pick them up sooner while they're still little babies and keep them in a tub in the back room with a desk light. Trouble is, I don't know anything about raising chicks.

Chicks are not that hard, they are just messy. They kick up an amazing amount of dust. Heat, food, water, and keep their butts clean. They are fun but messy. And you can always wind up with a little cockerel. Sexing chicks is not perfect as I well know.

 

[MaryJanet]

Apparently next week is going to be a scorcher, back-to-back 45+ degree days, esp. South Australia.

Yes, I saw the forecast too. Assuming Sandy doesn't need me, I'll be spending Tuesday floating in my friend's pool.

I doubt next week's heat will impact the new girls because they only hatched yesterday so they're still living with Corinne the breeder. She'll keep them safe - they're her livelihood.

 

[MaryJanet]

Chicks are not that hard, they are just messy. They kick up an amazing amount of dust. Heat, food, water, and keep their butts clean. They are fun but messy. And you can always wind up with a little cockerel. Sexing chicks is not perfect as I well know.

I've been thinking that too. CCLs are supposedly sexed at birth (*cough* hatching) with different markings, but I've read posts where that hasn't been the case.

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning MJ Happy Saturday

 

[MaryJanet]

They will be fine but it is smart to plan ahead. Shade is a good idea to beat the heat. Can you add a fan if necessary? I put a fan in my coop in the summer.

Yes! I forgot about my battery powered camping fan! Good idea Bob

 

[MaryJanet]

That was one of the best parts of Maleficent being broody. I could pet her fluffiness whenever I wanted. She was sooo fluffy too.

Hehehe poor broodies say, "and you wonder why we bite you "

 

[MaryJanet]

Hello

 

[MaryJanet]

Sandy's health

Well, she's not doing as well as I hoped she would. She's not running any more, jumping is out of the question, and she uses her pain posture for an hour or so before moving again. Yesterday she stood in pain while hidden in the tall grasses. The other two sat with her.

She has a follow up with Dr Hill today, but I'm not keen on having to touch her and put her in the basket because it's going to hurt her. I daresay the bumps in the car ride will be traumatically painful too.

I think she needs surgery. I'll write an update once I know more.

 

[rjohns39]

So sorry about Sandy I've only had three go broody. The first two were absolutely content to be petted, and since they lived in the convent I swapped out their eggs with fertile eggs. About two weeks in, a third joined the crew and kicked the other two off the nest. She was just plain mean and a horrible mama.

 

[Ribh]

Yes, I saw the forecast too. Assuming Sandy doesn't need me, I'll be spending Tuesday floating in my friend's pool.

I doubt next week's heat will impact the new girls because they only hatched yesterday so they're still living with Corinne the breeder. She'll keep them safe - they're her livelihood.

And that's an important point. Your breeder is all set up for raising chicks & experienced @ it. Unless you really want to try your hand @ raising chicks I think I would leave them with her ~ @ least until they're off the heat.