My son and our new flock of RIR.

[K&H Chicken Farm]

That is one cute pic!

My two little ones (as long as its not raining and have been kicked around by the older ones!) Come to "Here Chick chick chick!" fast with a little scrach. I would get them use to it in the pen then when they start moving to you for treats let them out.
Shelly

 

[mley1]

Quote:
Thanks for the info ya'll.

Airmom1c05, we used a large plastic dog house bottom. I guess it's probably about 3'x3' square. And, the sides are about 18" high. I took the roof off and blocked the door cutout with a board secured with clamps. We then kept a 250watt lamp above them. I also kept a good fresh supply of water and food available to them. The kiddo's cleaned out the droppings and dirty shavings about every 2 or three day's. The kids interacted with them daily. They would hold them and let them purch on their fingers and such.

We did have a bit of a scare though. My daughter has a border collie named Lexie. She usually just stood by the side of the brooder and just watched the chicks. But, one day she just jumped right in! Scared us for a minute. But I think she just wanted to be with them and try to herd them a bit. She didn't bother them at all and pretty much just layed in there with them. Of course we made her get out pretty quick and scolded her for getting in. But, she seems to like the chicks.

I still don't trust her though and have warned the kids to watch her close when she's around the chicks. But, so far she's behaving pretty well.

 

[mley1]

Quote:
Should we think about clipping their wings? And, if so, when should we do that? About how old?

 

[airmom1c05]

Thanks for the brooder info. Sounds like your collie will be a good predator deterrent for your chicks.

 

[airmom1c05]

I don't know what age you can clip their wings, but I know the info is already here on this site somewhere. I also remember reading you only have to clip one wing on each bird usually. Someone with more expertise will respond regarding the right age if you don't find it using search.

 

[allenacres]

That is a great photo! Thanks for sharing.

 

[airmom1c05]

http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.c … 1159116054

You can read very much about wing clipping at the above site.

 

[mley1]

Quote:
Thanks!!

 

[mley1]

Quote:
Thanks!!

Uh, for some reason the link didn't work for me when I clicked on it in your post. I don't know why.

 

[airmom1c05]

Sorry....I used the Search button at the top of the Index page and checked out wing clipping threads. The one from DL had the link posted and I visited it and found it extrememly informative. I'll try to copy and paste it again or at least lead you to the thread that listed the site.