Red Partridge Orpington informational hatch thread

[K0k0shka]

Crooky died despite my intensive care, eyedropper feeding and physical therapy. He looked weaker today and was gasping for air. We're down to 5 partridges now. At least the others are looking good so far.

 

[K0k0shka]

I almost lost one of the broody's chicks tonight. Details here.

In happier news, here they are enjoying some snacks from earlier today:

Broody is SO ready to go outside. She's been trying to get past me when I open the human door, eyeing the outside wistfully. The babies are one week old now, so tomorrow is going to be the big day when the barrier comes down. I really hope it goes well! Most people's accounts have happy endings with nobody being seriously hurt, but I did just read one person's warning that her older hens killed an adolescent chick after being okay with the newbies for a long time... So I'm nervous.

 

[K0k0shka]

The babies have long outgrown their baby perch, so today they got new monkey bars. At one week old, they are getting very climby!

I’m still their favorite thing to climb though

 

[K0k0shka]

Today was the big day when the barrier came down and the broody and her chicks were free to go meet the flock. It didn't go the way I imagined it... After all that rushing to go out, it took her several HOURS to decide to actually try to go out. And when she did, the chicks didn't want to follow. She'd go out and call them, go back in, go out again and call them, and so on. Clearly really wanted to take them out. But they were like NOPE not happening mama! Finally, only one of the chicks finally made it outside, by complete accident, but its grand exit was quite epic:

I spent about half the day out with the chickens, to observe the interactions once the barrier came down, and to make sure all was well. Some chickens went into the coop to investigate the babies, and some investigated the one chick that went outside. Whenever one came too close to the babies, mama left the interaction with a tuft of feathers in her mouth:

That made me feel better about her ability to protect the babies. I was starting to doubt her because she's so incredibly nice to me, and even to the kids (!) whenever we're around. She lets us come close and pet her and the babies, even all three of us crowding the coop and hovering. By comparison, my friend who lent me the incubator and whose chicks I hatched along with mine (and whose chicks the broody is raising), also has a broody right now, and nobody is able to come anywhere near her because she goes into a rage and flies up and attacks everyone, including my friend who's her primary keeper. So I was worried that my broody wouldn't be able to protect her chicks out there, but now I realize that all the time and effort we've put into handling and socializing her and bonding with her is paying off. She trusts us, and that melts my heart

I felt bad for the other hens though. None of them seemed to go after the chicks at all, or even seemed interested in them, but the broody kept making the "I found food" sound at the chicks and pecking the ground, and the other hens were responding to it and coming close to look for food, only to get smacked as a result.

So I think the first day of real integration went fine. Only one chick spent time outside (while the broody paced frantically back and forth between it and the others inside), and not all the hens interacted with the broody and the chicks (that I saw), but there were no accidents and no ill intent on the hens' part, and the broody is definitely protective, so I feel better about it.

 

[aart]

Did the chick get back into the coop on her own?

 

[K0k0shka]

Did the chick get back into the coop on her own?

Yes. Didn’t last long outside. I thought they’d be more curious and willing to go out. The broody’s chicks are the same age as the ones inside, but are a LOT less adventurous, which I did not expect. At one point she went inside the milk crate that’s on the floor as a temporary nesting box (I didn’t take it out after removing the barrier, thinking she might want to sleep in there with the chicks). It has a small boart across the front, about 3 inches - something the indoor chicks can clear easily. But these guys stood just outside the box, craning their necks up peeping at the mom. They just stay next to her butt all the time and don’t explore much at all. If I took the indoor chicks to that space, they’d get on top of and inside of everything! And probably be excited to run outside, too. Is this common? I would’ve thought chicks that have the safety of mom would feel more brave to venture out and explore, but maybe she’s too controlling and doesn’t let them? Helicopter mom?

 

[aart]

but maybe she’s too controlling and doesn’t let them?

I have seen this.

How are you going to integrate the bator chicks with the broody and her chicks and the flock?

 

[K0k0shka]

I have seen this.

How are you going to integrate the bator chicks with the broody and her chicks and the flock?

I have a grand plan to divide the coop and run and give them a completely separate space, but within view of the flock. I’ll cut a second pop door into the back of the coop, leading out to the chicks’ private run. I’ll post pictures and a diagram later, for your feedback

 

[K0k0shka]

Rainy day today. The umbrellas provide enough dry area, but if the babies didn’t want to go out yesterday when it was sunny and warm, I doubt they’ll brave the rain today. Broody’s twin sister hangs around them the most, but nobody has lost any more feathers so I think they are figuring it out.

 

[K0k0shka]

I made an article describing my brooder build. This brooder is an improvement on last year's, which I was very happy with, and I'm even happier with this one! Incorporated some lessons learned, too. You can check it out here:

DIY Chicken TV Brooder, v2.0​