new baby rooster

[Blooie]

When Gus was in the pen with the big girls, what was his demeanor? Was he content? Or did he still chirp his head off? I'm betting he enjoyed his little outing, and he's hoping you'll figure a way to make it so he can be out there with them, if only during the day. Did you read about Blooie's boy chick Scout? She may have some good tips on how to keep Gus from being lonely at night. Maybe I'll ask her if she has time to come over here and give us some of her sage advice.

Um, yeah....about that "sage advice"..... I ain't got none. When Scout was hatched, he and his mom were in a wire dog crate in the coop in full view of the other adults at all times. After a couple of days I opened the door of the crate and she took him out among the other chickens, and boy, was she protective! After he got hurt and we brought him into the house, we used Mama Heating Pad and the same crate he'd been in outside. His hospital room was in the living room. I don't think he ever really got lonely - he was handled a lot for his treatments and then tucked back in. He was always pretty content, but on those rare occasions when he'd start that insistent peeping we'd check to see if he was alright, then leave him to figure it out. At night when the lights went off, he went to sleep and slept all through the night. That one little factor, I firmly believe, is the difference between a calm chick and one that seems to frantically need reassurance at all times. A chick under a light has no idea of day/night cycles. If a chick is in light 24/7 and can make demands anytime he feels a little insecure, that's just what he's going to do. Mama Heating Pad gave him what I couldn't - the feeling of a broody hen's warmth and security. It's more than the heat - it's a dark, quiet place where he's surrounded by comfort, and it feels like he's not alone because he's out of the huge big world. He learns to calm himself.

As soon as he was stronger, he went right back out with the other chickens - at first he had supervised visits and his mom did a great job of stepping right back into her role as protector. When he went back outside to live for good, we used that trusty crate with the door wired enough so that he could get in but they couldn't follow. He got pecked a bit, and he learned where to hide or when to peck them right back. Now he's a majestic, protective roo. He's not a snuggler - despite all of the handling as a chick he's independent and he doesn't run up for attention. He also has some kind of inborn confidence that tells him his place is secure and he doesn't see anyone going out to the coop, the run, or the yard when they're free ranging as a threat to his position so he just moves away.

So I have absolutely no clue how to advise here. My chicks are all raised outside with the others, (aside from those couple of weeks with Scout) and have that heating pad to run under if they get spooked or feel alone. Well, there ya have it....some not so sage advice. I decided last year that I wasn't going to be a "chicken mama" anymore. I can't do it as well as a real mom but I can provide the them with something that takes her place.

 

[DeborahLynne14]

Well here's the latest...I am learning all about that "chicken math". I am laughing even as I type. Yesterday I went to get a new waterer and came home with two brahma chicks for Gus to play with. Well - they looked alot bigger at the feed store. They probably need another week before they will be good "company" for Gus. In the mean time. They are inside in a dog crate 24/7 and Gus is outside during the day in a wire kennel butted up next to the big girls and inside at night. He is happy when he is outside with the girls.

So I am happy to report that I now have:
5 white leghorns Pearl, Jane, Annie Laura, Hazel & Berdie
1 Rhode Island Red - Ruby
1 Jersey Giant Rooster - Gus
2 Brahma Chicks - yet to be named

I am so appreciative of all the support. I was a little overwhelmed when I thought about starting my little "backyard farm", but now I have come to realize that I am not alone. Thank y'all so much for all the help!

Everyone is happy and healthy!

 

[azygous]

I wouldn't wait a week before putting the new chicks with Gus. As soon as you've had them monitored for any problems and they appear to be doing well, put the new chicks in with Gus so they can begin forming their "unit" immediately. This is very crucial for the development of their self confidence and their ability to get along well together. Since they are probably only a week at most apart in age, this shouldn't be a factor in them getting along. But if you wait too long, they will each form their own unit, Gus his, and the Brahmas, theirs. Then you have integration problems.

 

[DeborahLynne14]

I wouldn't wait a week before putting the new chicks with Gus. As soon as you've had them monitored for any problems and they appear to be doing well, put the new chicks in with Gus so they can begin forming their "unit" immediately. This is very crucial for the development of their self confidence and their ability to get along well together. Since they are probably only a week at most apart in age, this shouldn't be a factor in them getting along. But if you wait too long, they will each form their own unit, Gus his, and the Brahmas, theirs. Then you have integration problems.

Yay - I figured out how to respond directly to another poster - but I digress...

Yes, I was worried about all of the separate units I am creating. I am afraid Gus will hurt accidentally them. I will post some pictures when I can so you can see the size difference and have more info to go on.

again - a million thanks!

 

[azygous]

All you can do is try it. Yes, I'm aware that Jersey Giants are called that for good reason. But he's a baby and until chicks are a month old, they have no real sense of differences. After four weeks, there are insiders and outsiders, kind of like junior high.

Until then, Gus isn't likely to hurt the smaller ones intentionally. I'm going to share something I'm using with my own chicks right now to head off bad behavior. It doesn't take much, just a light poke with your finger to the back of the head, not too hard or you'll knock him over! Each time, and it may not even occur, he pecks at a chick, poke Gus immediately. If you can anticipate his move, even better.

My little Legbar has a fixation on the three other chicks' down, and she compulsively picks at them, and they squawk so I know they find her attention uncomfortable. Besides, I've had my problems with serial feather pickers in the past, and if I can head off a new one developing the habit, I'm going to spend the time. The encouraging thing about this corrective action is it seems to be working. It stops her as she's engaging in it, and she appears to be doing it less often.

 

[DeborahLynne14]

All you can do is try it. Yes, I'm aware that Jersey Giants are called that for good reason. But he's a baby and until chicks are a month old, they have no real sense of differences. After four weeks, there are insiders and outsiders, kind of like junior high.

Until then, Gus isn't likely to hurt the smaller ones intentionally. I'm going to share something I'm using with my own chicks right now to head off bad behavior. It doesn't take much, just a light poke with your finger to the back of the head, not too hard or you'll knock him over! Each time, and it may not even occur, he pecks at a chick, poke Gus immediately. If you can anticipate his move, even better.

My little Legbar has a fixation on the three other chicks' down, and she compulsively picks at them, and they squawk so I know they find her attention uncomfortable. Besides, I've had my problems with serial feather pickers in the past, and if I can head off a new one developing the habit, I'm going to spend the time. The encouraging thing about this corrective action is it seems to be working. It stops her as she's engaging in it, and she appears to be doing it less often.

I have been using gentle correction with my "finger beak" and it seems to be working. Yesterday when I got home I made a "panic room" for the chicks. I patterned it after the "Mama Hen Brooder" but without the heat source. It is the miracle I have been waiting for. It seems to be what is best for everybody. The babies have a safe haven, Gus has a new playground and this morning they were all in the same area of the brooder very peacefully coexisting. They seemed to have bonded. So they will definitely face the big girls together when we are ready to make the transition.

 

[Blooie]

I have been using gentle correction with my "finger beak" and it seems to be working. Yesterday when I got home I made a "panic room" for the chicks. I patterned it after the "Mama Hen Brooder" but without the heat source. It is the miracle I have been waiting for. It seems to be what is best for everybody. The babies have a safe haven, Gus has a new playground and this morning they were all in the same area of the brooder very peacefully coexisting. They seemed to have bonded. So they will definitely face the big girls together when we are ready to make the transition.

And that reason alone could make Mama Heating Pad worth it's weight in gold! Imagine starting chicks outside among the flock that way, with the heating pad on, of course. Ah, peace and happy chicks!

 

[DeborahLynne14]

And that reason alone could make Mama Heating Pad worth it's weight in gold! Imagine starting chicks outside among the flock that way, with the heating pad on, of course. Ah, peace and happy chicks!

Yes, it is worth it's weight in gold and them some! But more than that - the information and encouragement from seasoned veterans gives us greenhorns the confidence to try new things and I am so grateful for all of the support.

I was thinking about a "Big Daddy" heating device for the winter that was big enough for a little warmth for the entire flock. One idea was the same design on a grander scale made from an electric blanket and a tarp and duct tape. We don't need much heat down here in Louisiana - but every now and then it gets in the low 30's for a couple of nights.

I may try it and see how it goes.

Thanks again for everything!

 

[Blooie]

You are very welcome, and of course you need to do what you think is best for your flock. But here in Northern Wyoming, where we have winds in excess of 60 mph, temps in the sub-zero range, and snow that blows in sideways, I use no supplemental heat for my chickens. They are wearing what most of us pay a fortune for - a plush, down and feather jacket. I've gone out there at night when it's 18 below zero and put my hand up under the feathers of a chicken. Toasty warm. That layer of insulation they have does an amazing job of keeping them warm! If your coop has good ventilation, they just don't need any supplemental heat. I have a lot of ventilation in my coop, they have access to their run via the pop door that's open 24/7, 356 days a year, and we didn't so much as have a case of frostbite. I also open up the windows on the downwind side. Our winter temps hit that 20 to 30 below range. This winter was unusual. We'd have a week or two of sub-zero, then a warming trend, going up to the upper twenties above zero - weird!!




Chickens suffer much more from excessive heat than they do cold, so especially in your neck of the woods that's going to be your main issue. They will be able to withstand your winter time temps of 30 degrees with no problems at all - in fact, my chickens are outside in the snow on balmy days in the 20s rather than in their run or coop.

 

[DeborahLynne14]

You are very welcome, and of course you need to do what you think is best for your flock. But here in Northern Wyoming, where we have winds in excess of 60 mph, temps in the sub-zero range, and snow that blows in sideways, I use no supplemental heat for my chickens. They are wearing what most of us pay a fortune for - a plush, down and feather jacket. I've gone out there at night when it's 18 below zero and put my hand up under the feathers of a chicken. Toasty warm. That layer of insulation they have does an amazing job of keeping them warm! If your coop has good ventilation, they just don't need any supplemental heat. I have a lot of ventilation in my coop, they have access to their run via the pop door that's open 24/7, 356 days a year, and we didn't so much as have a case of frostbite. I also open up the windows on the downwind side. Our winter temps hit that 20 to 30 below range. This winter was unusual. We'd have a week or two of sub-zero, then a warming trend, going up to the upper twenties above zero - weird!!




Chickens suffer much more from excessive heat than they do cold, so especially in your neck of the woods that's going to be your main issue. They will be able to withstand your winter time temps of 30 degrees with no problems at all - in fact, my chickens are outside in the snow on balmy days in the 20s rather than in their run or coop.

Yeah, I kinda figured that. I am really more concerned about heat distress during our brutal summers. Our hot weather can last into November sometimes. We have even been known to wear shorts on Christmas morning. We have a huge industrial-sized mister fan that sprays a light cool mist - not enough to get ya wet - just enough to cool you off. I may have to break it out soon. Our daytime highs have been in the 90's and in the 70's and low 80's at night. So needless to say keeping my chickens warm will probably never be an issue.

Your diplomacy made me chuckle "you need to do what you think is best for your flock..." just say - look bird-brain you live in South Louisiana you don't need to worry about frost bite - you need to worry about heat stroke! Ha Ha.

Anyway, thanks again for all of your help.