Raising Baby Chick-Along

[JessyJess6]

Great to let them use the big-kids' area during the day. How are you planning to integrate them into your flock once they're ready?

I'm not sure. I've never done it before. Around 4 ish weeks I was going to actually introduce them to the bigger guys. Maybe have a make shift smaller run inside the existing one, with an entry big enough for just the chicks.

 

[JessyJess6]

They're so cute! What breeds do you have there?

I have some easter eggers, a Rhode Island Red, a blue Cochin, a silver laced Cochin, and some dark Brahmas (they might be light brahmas... I honestly can't remember)

 

[Jessimom]

I'm cruel, once they leave, I no longer care. I LOVE when they send me photos, or let me know how they are doing. I do tell them to call me if they need to give them up. That includes adult birds as well. I've only had to take back 2 sets of hens - both of which I was able to re-home, without having to quarantine them back at my place. I've never taken any chicks back.

 

[Leighe]

I'm cruel, once they leave, I no longer care. I LOVE when they send me photos, or let me know how they are doing. I do tell them to call me if they need to give them up. That includes adult birds as well. I've only had to take back 2 sets of hens - both of which I was able to re-home, without having to quarantine them back at my place. I've never taken any chicks back.

Nope.....you're not cruel....you're willing to take back birds if you need to. You've got a heart of love beating, lol. I've never had to take mine back, but I will if it ever comes to that.

 

[WVduckchick]

Do you think a standard Cochin gen could handle 16 chicks? She has 13 now. But one of my hens with 3 is a bad mom...

That's a bunch! If you are in a nice warm climate (or sweltering, as many of us are), she can probably handle that many, but I personally wouldn't want her to, if there is any alternative. Maybe the other hen can learn to help?

Back from another back country adventure! DH took care of the birds this time, and did a great job. Okay, next week we are possibly hitting 115 degrees (and we say, "It's a dry heat" hah!!) This is the first time I've had a batch of new chicks with their mamma outside on a sweltering day. With my fully feathered guys and gals I do misters and little "ponds" (upside down storage tub lids filled with water in which to wade). Anything special I should do for the downy little chicks? (Besides nice cold water?)

I'm sure in your climate they do just fine, but I would point out that tiny chicks need to stay dry. Dry dirt, sand, etc. If they sweat or get wet, they can chill or even get dehydrated.

Can't resist... it's not a chicken, but it was glorious, nonetheless. (Glad pics aren't "scratch and sniff" - we probably all are, on a chicken website!! But, I was in serious need of a shower at this point!!)
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Skipper's chicks go to their new home today... anybody ever lose sleep over selling chickens? I may be slowly losing my mind, because somehow I managed to worry about the chicks, Skipper, the other 4 birds who are being sold with them and, the people who are buying them (I didn't handle these very much - they're not friendly - they'll be a disappointment to their new owners, etc). Probably very silly, but at some point today I'm going to need a nap.

Depends on the chicks. Some have been hard to let go of, but mostly, I'm happy to see them go to good homes.
I did list some "free" roosters, and the couple came and was going to take the ALL! I actually held a few back, made some excuse. I just got a weird feeling, so the ones that were more special to me didn't go.

I do love when people send me pics. I have one lady that sends me monthly birthday pics, and she was so excited to share when the pullets started laying!

 

[AUChickenGal]

Lots of changes for my birds this week! My Speckled Sussex cockerel was picked up last night by his new owners. I think the girls are already feeling more relaxed without him around. So far, I've had good luck finding homes for my "surprise" cockerels via Craigslist and Facebook pages; let's hope that continues when Hootie's chicks get old enough to sex.

Her babies are three weeks old now and growing like little weeds! She has started taking them up onto the droppings tray under the main roosts to sleep for the last couple of nights. I suspect she will have them roosting before long. Based on comb development, I'm pretty sure the little barred chick is a cockerel. He is a bold little devil, already picking fights with the older chicks. Jury's still out on the other two.

I took the wire kennel away from the older chicks (now 7 weeks old) two nights ago, and they followed the adult birds into the coop to sleep without much fuss. They are currently sleeping in a pile on the edge of the droppings tray, safely out of reach of Hootie's wrath. They are well on their way to becoming fully integrated into the flock. In another couple of weeks, they should be too big to slip out of the poultry netting that defines their run, which will make my life much easier! The little Faverolles remains a bit of an odd ball; she is kind of a loner and smaller than the others. She also seems to have a very mild beak deformity (not quite a cross beak, though), but otherwise she does well and is absolutely adorable.

 

[WVduckchick]

Lots of changes for my birds this week! My Speckled Sussex cockerel was picked up last night by his new owners. I think the girls are already feeling more relaxed without him around. So far, I've had good luck finding homes for my "surprise" cockerels via Craigslist and Facebook pages; let's hope that continues when Hootie's chicks get old enough to sex.

Her babies are three weeks old now and growing like little weeds! She has started taking them up onto the droppings tray under the main roosts to sleep for the last couple of nights. I suspect she will have them roosting before long. Based on comb development, I'm pretty sure the little barred chick is a cockerel. He is a bold little devil, already picking fights with the older chicks. Jury's still out on the other two.
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I took the wire kennel away from the older chicks (now 7 weeks old) two nights ago, and they followed the adult birds into the coop to sleep without much fuss. They are currently sleeping in a pile on the edge of the droppings tray, safely out of reach of Hootie's wrath. They are well on their way to becoming fully integrated into the flock. In another couple of weeks, they should be too big to slip out of the poultry netting that defines their run, which will make my life much easier! The little Faverolles remains a bit of an odd ball; she is kind of a loner and smaller than the others. She also seems to have a very mild beak deformity (not quite a cross beak, though), but otherwise she does well and is absolutely adorable.
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Very pretty!

what are the parents of the little barred one? Batting is sex-linked, and i see a big white head dot, so I'm assuming "his" mother was barred??

 

[rjohns39]

Beautiful birds.

 

[orrpeople]

I'm not sure. I've never done it before. Around 4 ish weeks I was going to actually introduce them to the bigger guys. Maybe have a make shift smaller run inside the existing one, with an entry big enough for just the chicks.

Yeah, I think you're spot on with making a small run for the littles to escape into. Probably have them spend a few nights in it so they know it's theirs before opening their own personal doorway. Good thinking!

 

[orrpeople]

Okay, next question. Skipper is now wandering around the yard looking for her babies. Ugh. I don't feel super bad about it because I don't know how long she would have wanted to raise them anyway (remember she ditched the last ones at about 2-1/2 weeks.) - and I really didn't want 8 barnyard mix chicks in my already overflowing chicken world. But, is this something that will go on for a while, or will she come out of it once she realizes they're gone?