Raising Chicks has been a Joy

[Smokerbill]

I wonder
if I can give the chicks a bit of grubs yet????

I gave my little chicks a small, meaty chicken thigh bone a couple days ago, and they're not quite 2 weeks old yet. They loved it and are still alive and kicking. I gave them a pile of dirt and rocks at the same time so they'd have a little grit with the meat.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

I gave my little chicks a small, meaty chicken thigh bone a couple days ago, and they're not quite 2 weeks old yet. They loved it and are still alive and kicking. I gave them a pile of dirt and rocks at the same time so they'd have a little grit with the meat.

Mine have the sand on the coop floor. I just finished taking the towels off and adding more chicken wire. They can’t escape.



Full view and open windows and door, they still have the heating pad and lamp.
I need the older hens to see them.
The hens can’t get to the chick feed.
I’ll see how they do while I am at Bible study, and how the weather does. I may need to close the windows

 

[Smokerbill]

Mine have the sand on the coop floor. I just finished taking the towels off and adding more chicken wire. They can’t escape.

View attachment 4128708

Full view and open windows and door, they still have the heating pad and lamp.
I need the older hens to see them.
The hens can’t get to the chick feed.
I’ll see how they do while I am at Bible study, and how the weather does. I may need to close the windows

View attachment 4128715View attachment 4128716

That's a nice setup! I think I'll move the little chicks out to enclosure in the coop early next week. They'll be a good 2 weeks old then and can grow up watching the older chickens. And the older ones can get used to seeing them.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

I did end up closing the windows before I left.
but when I got back it was so nice out that I let them loos.

first , controlled. I did know what the hens would do.


then I moved the panels a bit, all good. the hens didnt care.

I raked the dirt bath area and gave the big girls some grubs.
I corralled the chicks over to the area, and spread some feed out over some grubs.



Still the hens weren't interested and focused on their grubs'.


My 3yr old BIG hen was close and I let her in, I watched carefully,, she was very good with the chicks.
After a while I let a few more inter act,
It went good,



Big Tony dog loves his chickens and really wanted to see the chicks



As the chicks worked their way back to the overhang Tony followed them



I worked them back into the coop and funneled them in to their brooder

 

[Grandmas Coop]

All back safe and sound

 

[Grandmas Coop]

the temps are still to cold for painting ,,,BUT one of things on my list is get a 5gal of KILLS white and get the inside of the coop repainted.
When we built it June of 22 I got a thin coat of regular paint on.
then I want a few pieces of sheet metal to tack up along the bottom of the outside where mud splash hits.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Today we have a propped up brooder.
We can run to safety, access feed and water but the big hens can’t get in—
In theory
Cuz I have seen in the past some very determined hens

 

[Smokerbill]

That's a great idea! My 8 week old pullets get pecked and chased a little but they're so quick that they can escape the old hens easily.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

That's a great idea! My 8 week old pullets get pecked and chased a little but they're so quick that they can escape the old hens easily.

Hens will give instructive pecks or attack,, so I keep a close eye until I know the chicks know the lay of the land. I am still out here,
A few chicks popped out of the brooder and I let them find their way back. But I really need to go get dressed and brush my teeth so I am going to pull the props so the chicks have to stay in for now.

 

[Smokerbill]

Looks like you're integrating the chicks at a younger age than mine were when I put them together. I think mine were around 7 weeks old.