Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[fisherlady]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It helps.



I did find feathers on Sunday morning, the good news is that they were outside of our property. The birds had taken to drifting East of our property onto the 200 acre farm next door scratching through the soy field. Bella (my dog) can not get to the field, which brings me lots of relief as I believe she was doing her job like a good girl. I've been keeping the pens by that property line closed up until I can figure out how to keep the birds ON our property.


Other good news is that Keekay the counter chick is doing well and her eye (which had been swollen shut for a few days) is open and seems to work, also, she's looking like a pullet so HOO RAY!

we have found that simple chicken wire fence 2-3 ft tall is usually all it takes to keep our birds from roaming to the neighbors horse pasture, but our are larger birds who don't fly much unless being chased. It won't keep anything else out, but works for a simple deterrent.

 

[TillyPeeps]

I saw Brownie and Molly chest bumping on Saturday, when they just turned 2 week old. It's so funny to see they bump their fluffy little chests!

Does this mean these two are on top of pecking order? I know Brownie always try to keep everyone in place.

 

[fisherlady]

I saw Brownie and Molly chest bumping on Saturday, when they just turned 2 week old. It's so funny to see they bump their fluffy little chests!

Does this mean these two are on top of pecking order? I know Brownie always try to keep everyone in place.

Usually it is a way to establish dominance, though in the very young it seems to be done as much in innocent play, but it usually done by the most dominant in the group. Our broody chicks do it frequently, when they get to rambunctious about it though the hens whack them to let them know just who is the real boss! LOL

 

[TillyPeeps]

Usually it is a way to establish dominance, though in the very young it seems to be done as much in innocent play, but it usually done by the most dominant in the group. Our broody chicks do it frequently, when they get to rambunctious about it though the hens whack them to let them know just who is the real boss! LOL

Brownie tried really hard to be the boss from day 1, but I doubt that she can keep her top position because she is a smaller one. I guess time will tell. It's so fun to watch the chickens doing their business.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Brownie tried really hard to be the boss from day 1, but I doubt that she can keep her top position because she is a smaller one. I guess time will tell. It's so fun to watch the chickens doing their business.

You may be surprised how well a smaller one can hold their position lol

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I think I'm also going to take advantage of this warm weather and get some birds moved out to the main coop. I have about 5 or 6 that are of age. I just hope they can handle it. 2 are silkies. We'll see how it goes.

 

[fisherlady]

You may be surprised how well a smaller one can hold their position lol

X2, most of our bossiest hens our the smaller ones in the coop. I figure they go with the theory that it's not the size of their beak it's their willingness to use it!

 

[Lelanae]

So sorry

So sorry for you loss. He was GORGEOUS. I hope by some miracle one makes her way back, like my friend's did.

 

[stake]

Looking forward to this warm week and acclimating the brooder chicks to the big coop. They are 6 and 7 weeks old and look to be fully feathered. Last week the day temp in the garage brooder was kept at about 60 during the day and may have dropped to slightly below that at night, maybe 55 at the lowest?

So my question . . .
They will be outside during the day since outside temp will be equal to or above what the brooder has been (brooder can be dropped to 55 this week), however, nights will be just a little colder than 55 degrees. Weatherman is calling for an average temp between 45-55 throughout the week at night. Since they are fully feathered (but still a little young) can they stay in the coop at night w/o supplemental heat?

Chxmama:

I think this is for non-cold weather birds, but, its start at 90 degrees, subtract 5 for every week as the lowest temps.....I will be moving my crew outside in a couple of days (seven of them), they are the same age as your girls....Like MCC suggested, monitor them as things cool off and check them early AM....if they are showing distress, move them back to the brooder....my two cents....

 

[chxmama]

I think I'm also going to take advantage of this warm weather and get some birds moved out to the main coop. I have about 5 or 6 that are of age. I just hope they can handle it. 2 are silkies. We'll see how it goes.

How'd it go? Did you get them moved out? I don't know why it takes so long, but we got all of our girls moved into the big coop. They seemed a bit bewildered, but are adjusting and settled quietly throughout the coop. They're not all huddled together, so looks like they're warm enough for now. It was a beautiful day and the rest of the week looks to be even nicer!

Chxmama:

I think this is for non-cold weather birds, but, its start at 90 degrees, subtract 5 for every week as the lowest temps.....I will be moving my crew outside in a couple of days (seven of them), they are the same age as your girls....Like MCC suggested, monitor them as things cool off and check them early AM....if they are showing distress, move them back to the brooder....my two cents....

Thanks! All seems well. I was so ready to move them to the coop! This is the first time I brooded chicks in Jan (in the house) and not sure I want to do that again. I've always done it in spring or summer and have kept them in the garage. Not big fan of chicks in my basement!