Our First Broody and Incubator Hatch: a Diary

[igorsMistress]

Ruby finally got the chick out in the big yard with the rest of the flock. A bunch of wild birds took flight when I peeked around the corner and the chick went flapping and running back to the coop yard with mama following behind

 

[BlueBaby]

Ruby finally got the chick out in the big yard with the rest of the flock. A bunch of wild birds took flight when I peeked around the corner and the chick went flapping and running back to the coop yard with mama following behind

I can imagine how funny that was, but it won't be long until that little chick will be chasing the wild birds away from the food.

 

[BlueBaby]

Yes'm I'm starting to change over to Naked Necks for dual purpose as we want eggs and meat both. I like the fact that this chick has no bib or bow tie and I want that in future generations. Cockerel or pullet, it's a keeper.

At least these will be easier to cull for meat because there aren't any neck feathers to have to cut though to get where you need to do the cut on the neck.

 

[igorsMistress]

Ruby managed to get the chick onto the patio this afternoon in search of food. I put a couple of scoops of fermented feed on the cement in the shade. They scratched it all up and ate. Aunt Scarlett came to visit. Everyone else was having some scratch out in the yard.

The chick is 4 weeks now and growing like a little weed. I can finally get fairly close without possibly loosing my life so will try to get an updated pic tomorrow.

Ruby has now moved back to a nest box at night, maybe the fan is too much so I'm going to start turning it off at night. It's only into the low 100's during the day and 80's at night. The long range forecast has us in a similar pattern until late September so it'll be on during the day as long as they spend time in the coop and it's 100+.

 

[igorsMistress]

Little at 4 weeks

 

[BlueBaby]

You can sure tell that it's been eating good, because that crop is full. It seem's to be feathering in a little bit slower around the upper wing and shoulders than the 2 that I have here that are a week younger than your's.

 

[igorsMistress]

You can sure tell that it's been eating good, because that crop is full. It seem's to be feathering in a little bit slower around the upper wing and shoulders than the 2 that I have here that are a week younger than your's.

I was wondering why it's taking so long to feather out.

 

[BlueBaby]

I was wondering why it's taking so long to feather out.

I believe that you have a little roo there!

 

[igorsMistress]

I went out to feed everyone this evening and the chick went all the way out to the big yard for some scratch, then left Ruby for the patio and regular feed. It's starting to develop to independence.

 

[BlueBaby]

I went out to feed everyone this evening and the chick went all the way out to the big yard for some scratch, then left Ruby for the patio and regular feed. It's starting to develop to independence.

That's good! Have you named him yet?