raising baby chicks

[Gonzo]

Help! I have a Rhode Island Red hen, thats 4 weekd old and already seems mean! is this possible? everytime I put her out with our younger chicks in their play yard, she picks on the smallest one's she can find. The other rhr's that are the same age do great with the younger one's. Is there anything I can do?

 

[gpamela3499]

I think it normal for a top hen to set the peaking order. It is normal.

You should also post this topic on the raising baby chicks thread.

 

[Msbear]

There is a "Raising Chicks" forum.. You'd probably get more responses if you post your question in the correct place.

 

[Pye and Papa]

Morning,
I have been gifted a chick from my son who to for the first time is doing chickens to help feed his 6 member brood on a firefighters salary,his chicks came about 6 weeks ago and are boilers or meat chickens anyway they sent him "Frenchy" a small chick with a high yellow hairdo and a black feathered body.(we call him that because of the feathered hairdo) It is a small chick and was being picked on by the jumbo chicks of my sons so to Mom he brought Frenchy. I being the nurturer that I am felt Frenchy may do better with friends and went to local feed store for 6 more friends of Columbian Rock origin. The chicks presently are being housed in my 24'x24' garden they are wired in as my husband and I live in a state park and nature abounds. We have fashioned a temporary coop out of an old large dog crate (which also resides in my garden now). My first and most important question is can the chicks be out in the rain? Or is it better to keep them in. They run around in the garden all day having quite a joy full time and are very reluctant to be put in the crate at night I let them run the garden from 7:30 a.m.-8:00p.m. and put them in when it is dusk. At what age will they start walking themselves in at night? Also is it a good thing to keep them in a vegetable garden? They have taken to eating little bugs and worms even chasing some moths the other day. I have so many more questions and can not seem to get answers. I even question the columbian rock chicks I have because, 3 of the 6 are so big compared to the others and supposedly they are the same age. I have yet to know what sex they are, I asked for layers but was told they only had straight runs,which I was told meant they were unsure of the sex and I would have to wait till eggs came or the rooster crowed. I pray that out of all these chicks ladies are what I end up with. We have had them just a couple of weeks but as two Grandparents we are having the most enjoyable time so far. I will be grateful for any advice for the novice, and the book recommendations will be a help.
I am Mom of three wonderful grow children, grandmother of five fantastic wee ones,and a very happy wife of the most giving husband who goes along with what ever I want to try. After 33 years you think he would run but yet he stays . Must be love
Enjoy your days Pye

 

[Gonzo]

hi! I'm new to this too. when you post a question, try going to index, then select "Raising baby chicks" then to your right, you'll see post a new topic. that should get you going. (my daughter had to show me) Good Luck!

 

[Pye and Papa]

Thank you Gonzo and his peeps for the info,being a novice of to many new things at once is a challenge. I learned by a solicitor who also raises chickens that my chicks shouldn't be in my garden long if I want the food of my plantings. I guess a little less joy and folly with the chicks and more common sense I would be able to answer my own questions. Sometimes I wonder what I spent four years at the university for so many years ago. Again many thanks and have an eggsellent time with our chickens.
Pye

 

[walkswithdog]

Pye - yes compost chicken manure first, then add to garden LOL.

Though letting them scratch among mature plants BRIEFLY is useful for eliminating bugs and tiny weeds. They do however do some destruction and sampling if you have say... tomatoes or berries. They LOVE them.

I usually let my tomatoes run out at the end of the season, leaving a bunch on the vine for them to have AT, makes for some very happy birds.

Sounds like your wee one might be a Polish baby. They have white topknots.

You're doing fine and not all of this makes complete sense when you're beginning for the first time, you'll get the hang of it.