Raising Baby Chick-Along

[NorthTexasWink]

I lost a 55FH cockerel Saturday early morning to a raccoon. We knew it was only a matter of time. We couldn't catch that bird before he was up at least 50' in the big oak by his coop at night. He lasted 3 nights like that and then Mr. Raccoon got him. Thankfully I have 2 more, and was contemplating not keeping that one anyway... but still...

I understand about your mixed feelings. I hate the idea of feeding the predators. Not the kind of positive reinforcement anyone needs!

 

[NorthTexasWink]

@Please forgive my noobieness, but
Whats a 55FH?

 

[orrpeople]

@Please forgive my noobieness, but
Whats a 55FH?

Sorry about my laziness w my chicken breeds! 55 Flowery Hens

 

[NorthTexasWink]

Aaaahhhhh! No worries. No wonder google gave me OO. Goose eggs.

 

[orrpeople]

Aaaahhhhh! No worries. No wonder google gave me OO. Goose eggs.

Google didn't even have picture of chickens wearing barrettes yesterday - they're slacking off, I tell ya!

 

[Jessimom]

Ok, I'm supposed to be working, so these are just quick photos. The Polish I think are boys.

 

[Jessimom]

I think these Polish are girls. They stay inside, so it's harder to take their picture....

 

[NorthTexasWink]

IMG_0072

• NorthTexasWink
• Aug 21, 2017

IMG_0060

• NorthTexasWink
• Aug 21, 2017

IMG_0071

• NorthTexasWink
• Aug 21, 2017

IMG_0058

• NorthTexasWink
• Aug 21, 2017

IMG_5063

• NorthTexasWink
• Aug 2, 2017

Sarge aka my pretty pony.

IMG_9516

• NorthTexasWink
• Jul 30, 2017

Sarge. RIP. Chinese Crested x Chihuahua I rescued at about 9-10 months old. Lived to age 12 and...

Love those polish! If my Sarge had been a chicken, he'd have been either a polish or a showgirl.

My baby chicks are officially adolescents. Starting to make grown chicken noises, though no attempts at crowing noted yet.

IMG_0056

• NorthTexasWink
• Aug 21, 2017

 

[rjohns39]

Ok, the pix are gorgeous! I can't wait until I'm able to play with polish.

Opossum: well, it's just not healthy for one to run across a chicken owner's pasture with a dead chicken in its mouth. Don't really care he dug it out of the compost pile, he get's a one way ticket to it.

Survival genetics: A friend of mine says he breeds to survival genetics. That is he breeds birds that are smart enough to stay inside the wire. I've got 3 ILs who insist the grass is greener on the other side of the fence and a coyote who won't penetrate the fence--but is happy to lay and wait. I'd like to get the coyote in my cross hairs--but would prefer the birds stay inside the safe area.

 

[WVduckchick]

I love the look on this chicks face