My First Chickens!

[Araucana16]

Well aren't they precious?

I love how they seem to be in that half adorable half terrifying chick-o-saurus phase

 

[3KillerBs]

Awkward, pre-teens.

 

[3KillerBs]

The chicks are happy and active in their coop. I've given them little bits of the wormy tips of sweet corn, some seedy zucchini, the good part of a bad tomato, some limp okra, and a little bit of watermelon. They ate everything but the okra -- I think its too fibery for them. I don't know if they ate the earworm I saw in the corn or just dumped it into the shavings.

LOL Tomorrow I'm off so I'm going to set up a bit of fence so I can have them out to play in the dirt for a little while.

Most of them are shy about being caught, but the smaller of the two Dark Brahmas and the biggest of the Big Red Boys come right up to be petted. I'm making sure that I catch and pet all the hens every time I'm with them so that they'll learn to not be so shy, but I can't keep the boys straight except for the big one so I'm not sure all of them are getting socialized. I suppose it doesn't matter as much with the roosters since I can't keep any.

I can't wait to see them experiencing dirt for the first time.

 

[LunaLady]

Hi. I just finished preparing for our, first time ever, chickens. I have heard others recommend orps but wondering if personalities differ with bantam orps versus standard orps? Congrats on your first chickens, I am so excited for mine.

Thanks

 

[3KillerBs]

We put a bit of that green, garden wire fence that we had around the back of the coop by the big door because I was worried about chicks jumping out while I did their food and water (actual run to be built this weekend), so I gave the chicks their first dirt experience.

Unfortunately, their scratching time was cut short by the fact that the little Langshan (aren't they supposed to be large chickens?), could pop right through the wire and that the smaller Delaware could squeeze through with some determination. It will slow them down enough to minimize the chance of me having to chase 12 chicks all around the yard though.







Its hard to take decent pictures of rapidly-moving chicks. LOL

 

[CStulceSmith]

They are so adorable!!

 

[3KillerBs]

LOL!

Someone left a drinking glass out in the carport last night. We found two, live palmetto bugs (aka wood roaches), in it this morning.

Naturally, I took them out back and put them into the chicken coop. I wish I had had the camera in hand then because the chicks all backed away and stared at those armored monsters. Then, when the palmetto bugs started moving around they ran away.

They need to learn that stalking and killing those things is one of the main ways I expect my chicken to earn their keep. But I guess a nearly 2-inch bug is a little much for a 4-week-chick. I did see one of the Big Red Boys eat a small spider though.

 

[CStulceSmith]

Got our new chicken tonight! A beautiful americauna/bantam mix. Shes beautiful and friendly. We love her already. My daughter named her lil momma.

 

[3KillerBs]

Some of the chickens have names now. I can't tell the boys apart, but I named them anyway -- Vinnie, Stew, 'Tore, Parm, and Fry. The smaller, friendlier Dark Brahma is Noodle because she's a funny, little thing and that's a funny name. The Langshan who wasn't supposed to be a bantam but who is half the size of the other chicks is Nugget. The Delaware with almost no black on her neck is Dumpling. The Australorp is Barbie. And the Light Brahma, who is large and will probably have a stately, matronly look when grown, is Rosemary.

I still need names for the other Delaware and the larger Dark Brahma. Any chicken recipe name ideas?

 

[CStulceSmith]

Here is Lil Momma!