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

[TwoCrows]

To make this explanation a little easier I've decided to 'name' the two separate flocks I seem to currently have. Eventually they'll all be one flock (I hope) but since there are two batches of chicks (the incubator chicks and Sweety's chicks) in two separate runs being raised differently things are a bit crazy.

The two flocks are Sweety's flock, the 7 and 5 month olds w Sweety's chicks. Then there's the Tractor Supply (TSC) chicks which are the 10 and 11 week olds which also includes the incubator chicks that are still penned in the run with TSC chicks. I hope that makes sense.

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.

Initially I wanted to toss the more aggressive TSC chicks in with Sweety's flock and let them figure it out, but that was just frustration getting the better of me and would put Sweety's chicks in danger as well as the 4 more aggressive chicks.

What I decided to do was . . . over the past few days I've been alternating which group I let out of the run:

I would let the TSC chicks out of their run and the incubator chicks could come out of the pen (into the run) and get some exercise without being harrassed.

The next day I would let Sweety's flock out of their run so Sweety could get more comfortable having her chicks out without them being harrassed by the TSC chicks.

This is working out well so far since I'm comfortable with Daisy being loose with the TSC chicks, but on the days Sweety's flock is out I keep her in the house or on leash when I bring her in the yard.

I'll keep this up the rest of the week and plan to let the two flocks out at the same time this weekend when I'll be able to observe them and see how things go.

I had a similar difficult time with 2 different aged flocks once and did exactly this. Over time it seemed to build courage for the weaker chicks in each flock which is a good thing, and eventually when I mixed them permanently, it went so much better! Enemies became allies, lots of new friends, this should work for your groups too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@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?

View attachment 4218192

Are they under a brooder plate? If so, then raise it up higher.

If the others are picking at the scabs, I'd use a little BluKote or Pick No More.

 

[redinator]

Are they under a brooder plate? If so, then raise it up higher.

If the others are picking at the scabs, I'd use a little BluKote or Pick No More.

No brooder plate they've been outside for a little over a week. They're under cover of a shaded run, so I don't think it's from the sun either. It doesn't seem like it being picked at, no raw or bloody spots, at least not yet. I only noticed the bare patches a day or so ago, now it looks scabbed over.

 

[redinator]

While I was letting Sweety's flock out yesterday I noticed Sweety and her chicks stayed in the run.

I went in and sat on the ground and Sweety came over to get her usual pets and scratches and went back to scratching around.

To my surprise Biscuit hopped up on my knee and wanted scratches too

 

[ChickenChick46]

While I was letting Sweety's flock out yesterday I noticed Sweety and her chicks stayed in the run.

I went in and sat on the ground and Sweety came over to get her usual pets and scratches and went back to scratching around.

To my surprise Biscuit hopped up on my knee and wanted scratches too
View attachment 4218792

That is one beautiful chick!

 

[redinator]

That is one beautiful chick!

Just like her mama

Edit: Not me her actual Mama, lol

 

[jxp]

While I was letting Sweety's flock out yesterday I noticed Sweety and her chicks stayed in the run.

I went in and sat on the ground and Sweety came over to get her usual pets and scratches and went back to scratching around.

To my surprise Biscuit hopped up on my knee and wanted scratches too
View attachment 4218792

Bis•cuit! Bis•cuit! Bis•cuit!
Way to go baby.

 

[redinator]

Bis•cuit! Bis•cuit! Bis•cuit!
Way to go baby.

I love that they're just as friendly as their mom even though I'm not hand raising them.

 

[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?

This worked wonders:

Thanks @kattabelly I tend to overthink the problem at times, which is why I love this site. Getting a different perspective always helps.

I hung out awhile to make sure the chicks figured out how to get in and out (also just because I wanted too, not gonna lie, lol). I also moved the larger feeders and waterers closer to the chicks pen so they can learn to use them, but I'll still keep a chick waterer and feeder in the pen, as well.

 

[redinator]

And on the other side of the yard:

This is obviously not their first dust bath, but it is their first dust bath out of the run. This tells me Sweety is getting more comfortable with having the chicks out of the run.

I'll spend a few more days alternating between the two flocks being out. Then I'll let them all out at once and keep an eye on things.