Redinator's First Hatch-Along w Bonus Broody: And Everything Thereafter

[redinator]

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive Have you ever seen this before? I noticed a couple bare patches on the wing joint of two of my incubator chicks, currently in a pen in the run. I wasn't concerned initially since they at the ragged age (lol) but now I'm seeing scabs or calluses.

It doesn't seem to hurt or bother the chicks, just look unsightly, and they still fly fine. There are 9 chicks in the same pen and only two with the problem, and it's only on the wing joint, so I don't think it's mites, but what do I know? Is there something I can put on the scab/callous to help it heal faster, or just let it be?

 

[ChickenChick46]

I've integrated chicks closer in age before and it only took a few days, maybe a week, but the size difference makes me more hesitant with this bunch. Sweety's chicks just turned 2 weeks and the incubator chicks are 3 weeks.

There's also Daisy's incident with Sweety's chicks that I have to keep in mind. I may not be able to let Broodies raise chicks in the future if it continues to make things more difficult. Or I'll need a better setup so I can keep Broodies penned with chicks until they chicks reach 4 weeks (the age I'd be comfortable letting Daisy around chicks unsupervised). I still have a lot to learn and figure out going forward.

If there is one thing I've learned in my very short time keeping chickens, it's that I will always have a lot to learn, lol.

 

[kattabelly]

I've tried for several days to integrate the TSC chicks with the incubator chicks, but a few of the older chicks just keep harassing them so I decided to try a different tactic.

Sorry if you've already said and I missed it, but when you tried before were they just all in together or did the younger chicks have a space that they could go in and out of but the older chicks couldn't fit in?

 

[redinator]

Sorry if you've already said and I missed it, but when you tried before were they just all in together or did the younger chicks have a space that they could go in and out of but the older chicks couldn't fit in?

I had a pen in the run, the younger were in the pen the older ones were in the run. Same as now, but there's a wider gap in age (and size) this time around so I'm being more cautious.

 

[redinator]

I had a pen in the run, the younger were in the pen the older ones were in the run. Same as now, but there's a wider gap in age (and size) this time around so I'm being more cautious.

I'm thinking about removing the pen and placing a pallet on pavers so the younger chicks have the option to come out, but the older (bigger) chicks won't be able to get them once they tuck themselves under it.

 

[kattabelly]

I'm thinking about removing the pen and placing a pallet on pavers so the younger chicks have the option to come out, but the older (bigger) chicks won't be able to get them once they tuck themselves under it.

Something like that is what I've usually done when integrating groups with a significant size difference in a fairly confined space. If possible, I'd have a big enough "panic room" that they can have food and water in there to start with and also have a load of clutter in the bigger space they all have access to.

How is the pen that you have now set up - is there a door you could have open just enough for the littles to use?

 

[redinator]

https://www.chewy.com/coziwow-collapsible-small-pet-hutch/dp/579726 This is the pen the 3 week olds are in. It opens from the top and has a side door, but the door is large enough the older chicks get in there and steal their food.

When I'm finished with the pen this go around, I'll probably make some sort of sliding door that can be opened in increments as the new gets bigger until it's eventually removed.

As I'm typing this I thought of these https://a.co/d/ho3ZLx0 . . .this might do the trick. It even has a bumper to prevent the gate/door from closing all the way.

 

[kattabelly]

https://www.chewy.com/coziwow-collapsible-small-pet-hutch/dp/579726 This is the pen the 3 week olds are in. It opens from the top and has a side door, but the door is large enough the older chicks get in there and steal their food.

When I'm finished with the pen this go around, I'll probably make some sort of sliding door that can be opened in increments as the new gets bigger until it's eventually removed.

As I'm typing this I thought of these https://a.co/d/ho3ZLx0 . . .this might do the trick. It even has a bumper to prevent the gate/door from closing all the way.

Could you just prop the whole pen up on bricks or something, either at all four corners or just so one side is raised?

 

[redinator]

Could you just prop the whole pen up on bricks or something, either at all four corners or just so one side is raised?

It folds, so I don't think that would work, but I could try propping the door open with a chunk of wood or something . . .the wheels are turning. . . .

 

[kattabelly]

It folds, so I don't think that would work, but I could try propping the door open with a chunk of wood or something . . .the wheels are turning. . . .

Oh right, I was assuming the panels would lock into place somehow for stability when unfolded. Just a piece of thick wire with a hook bent into each end would probably be easiest to latch onto the mesh of both the side door and side panel next to it, to stop the partly open door moving in either direction.