Our unexpected 41 chicks (25 ordered...!!!) on their first "outing"

[newbie coops]

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Meyer Hatchery. They don't have an explanation for why I received so many from an order of 25, but it's no matter.

The only thing I worry about is Marek's disease, because they don't vaccinate them unless you request it upon ordering. Well, I didn't because I, stupidly, assumed they vaccinated as a matter of policy, like so many other hatcheries do. So - we'll see what happens with this little flock. They are growing very quickly and look healthy but that's not really saying anything with baby chicks. Things can happen very suddenly.

They sure are interesting to observe, though.

 

[ravenfeathers]

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looks like a NH red to me.

what a cute litt.... er, gigantic flock! i've been getting mine out in the fresh air and sunshine since the first week and it's a joy to watch those tiny fluffies acting just like big chickens. i have a hard time getting mine packed up and back into the brooder after an hour or two. of course, i only have sixteen to catch, ha ha!

 

[chilisweet]

haha I've only 8 to catch and they are so not happy with me now....the weather has dropped 20 degrees in the past two days, and it's just too cold and wet for them to go outside now. I swear they are giving me the death look every time I walk past their brooder!


Does anyone think it's okay to let them go outside in colder weather, if there is a cover to keep the rain out, and I bring out their heat lamp? Or should I just wait another day?

~caran

 

[lovemychicks9]

I have gold sex links and they look alot like mine did at that age also. The girls lost their gold heads and turned mostly a light rusty brown with some white in the feathers. I am not saying for sure that is what they are so please do not quote me, just telling you what my girls looked like at that age.

 

[ravenfeathers]

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caran, i put them out even if it's a little cooler, i just don't leave them out as long. i might do two hours in warm sunshine, but only a half hour if it's chilly and rainy. the calf hutch i use for an outdoor run at the moment is fully enclosed and keeps the air about ten degrees warmer inside, so i don't bother with toting the lamp out, but if you wanted to do that, go for it. if they were out with their mama, they'd be out even in less than stellar weather.

 

[Ms Ellen]

NH Reds. They are colorful, distinctive, and aggressive. They have, as one of the developers of this breed (from RIRs) noted, "spizzerinktum"...

Very pretty but I can see how they earned that distinction.

Ah Ha! That explains it. I was really thinking the one I have like that was a roo but maybe not. Or maybe so and that is why it is so bad. There are three others that look similar but are smaller and have different wing shapes and are a little less feathered out. These were supposed to be pullets from the brown egg layers from McMurray. I can pick out some others that are red stars, more rust with a little white, so I don't think that is what those others are.​

 

[newbie coops]

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Thank you for your very kind, undeserved words. As to "spoiled"...? Well, does that include separation anxiety when I am at work and worrying about them every minute? Like...are they too hot, too cold, do they have enough fresh air coming in, are they too crowded, will they peck their neighbors, what about water - is it too warm now or did they tip over the waterer or their feeders, aren't they cute?

Never has there been a truer bunch of ne'r-do-wells than these!