NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lynzi777]

My chicks keep digging/clearing an open spot in their bedding and moving around in that corner almost like looking for a dust bath - could they be looking for something like that already?

 

[vmdanielsen]

chick starter

But what of the broody hen? Is starter bad for her? Could I keep her out of the starter? And if not, is it bad for her?

 

[Lynzi777]

Nevermind, I think I've figured out what one of them is doing LOL I put some scrambled egg in there this morning and my older silkie keeps getting pieces and literally running with them in his mouth! LOL Almost like he's thinking HA HA! It's mine! All MINE! He brings it over to this cleared spot and eats the rest of it outside of the food dish. What a weirdo! LOL

 

[rancher hicks]

chick starter

I agree. I had to put some younger hens in with the older birds. The hens aren't ready to lay so I just switched everyone to "non medicated" grower. They're are only a few older hens so I don't think it will hurt to be on grower for a few weeks and it certainly won't hurt the roosters.

If you separate mom and chicks that will be best.

The country max here just takes orders I think. I've never seen any chicks or set up there. TSC has already sold bunches of chicks so CM is late again.

TSC does see different sizes of syringes.

However I've learned to use an eye dropper when worming and do it at night with a head light on. Now freaking out just go down the row as they sit on the roost.

 

[stonykill]

But what of the broody hen? Is starter bad for her? Could I keep her out of the starter? And if not, is it bad for her?

not at all. It is higher in protein anyway, and mama's need it after being broody. I had 14 mama's last year that ate chick starter. No issues

anything you ever wanted to know about a broody. including pages of advise and pictures from me

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/457488/old-fashioned-broody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread/8250#post_8768251

 

[Lapeerian]

All the CountryMax chicks in store today were pre-ordered, but if there is enough interest, they may place another order. The order form I seen online only had a few standard breeds. In store they had RIR, Polish, Barred Rock, Golden Comet, SLW, White Giant, EE and Turkin. Put my name on the list to place an order. Cortland store gets theirs from Cackle Hatchery.

 

[vmdanielsen]

not at all. It is higher in protein anyway, and mama's need it after being broody. I had 14 mama's last year that ate chick starter. No issues

anything you ever wanted to know about a broody. including pages of advise and pictures from me

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/457488/old-fashioned-broody-hen-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread/8250#post_8768251

Thanks Stony. I added that subscription to my list and will be reading it for the next few days.

 

[featherz]

Last year when I had broodies I fed flock raiser to everyone, chicks and moms and other hens alike. Just put oyster shell on the side. I order now from agway, so I'll have to figure out whether I want unmedicated chick starter or grower this year, but either would be fine. heck, I don't worry all that much about even medicated (amprolium) chick starter being eaten by mom but I believe it costs more so I'll have to see. Not sure what the protein content is on the agway grower, so I may just feed everyone in that coop chick starter for a while when my broodies hatch out chicks.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Babies!!!

So I came home to 2 babies out and one working on it. 2 eggs have pipped but not zipped yet. So out of 12 eggs i still have 9 to go. I am hoping they will hatch in the next couple of days. The babies look good and healthy. Have to set up their brooder box tomorrow.

The tiny terrorists downstairs have a new little perch courtesy of dh. They were on it right quick, not like my hens, who took forever to figure it out. I just hope the delinquents dont use it as part of their jail break plan! Time to get the screen window cover on!

Thanks for all the support my peeps! Heres hoping the rest hatch as well!

 

[stonykill]

Thanks Stony. I added that subscription to my list and will be reading it for the next few days.

yw. LOTS of reading there. Besides myself, Miss lydia gives a lot of good info from experience. Not what a book says. That is what I like about that thread. All real world broody experience. And if you ever question "should I interfere", remember chickens survived for 10,000 years without human help. If anything, we have screwed them up