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

[redinator]

Looks like I made a good choice trading the RIRs for the Black Jersey Giants. They've integrated nicely already.

Andre the male only sticks up for himself or protects his girls, but doesn't pick fights with the other males. Him and Buckbeak, the EE cockerel, did a bit of a hackle dance, but it didn't escalate into a brawl.

The biggest difference is they don't torment the younger chicks like the RIRs did. They'll give them a peck if they get too close or chase them off if they act too big for their britches, aside from that they leave them alone.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Looks like I made a good choice trading the RIRs for the Black Jersey Giants. They've integrated nicely already.

Andre the male only sticks up for himself or protects his girls, but doesn't pick fights with the other males. Him and Buckbeak, the EE cockerel, did a bit of a hackle dance, but it didn't escalate into a brawl.

The biggest difference is they don't torment the younger chicks like the RIRs did. They'll give them a peck if they get too close or chase them off if they act too big for their britches, aside from that they leave them alone.

How are your LF breeds integrating with your bantams? I'm really hoping my 5 LFs will not give me fits when it comes time to integrate in a few weeks.

 

[redinator]

How are your LF breeds integrating with your bantams? I'm really hoping my 5 LFs will not give me fits when it comes time to integrate in a few weeks.

I had the bantams in with standards from day one. The TSC chicks were a mixed bunch. I'm not sure how adding the bantams to a flock of standards would work.

Lots of space, lots of hides and lots of feeders and waterers seems to be the formula for an 'easy' integration. I've noticed my bantams can fly higher than the standards so giving them higher places to get out of the way might be a good idea.

Mine would've gone smoother if it weren't for the RIRs.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I had the bantams in with standards from day one. The TSC chicks were a mixed bunch. I'm not sure how adding the bantams to a flock of standards would work.

Lots of space, lots of hides and lots of feeders and waterers seems to be the formula for an 'easy' integration. I've noticed my bantams can fly higher than the standards so giving them higher places to get out of the way might be a good idea.

Mine would've gone smoother if it weren't for the RIRs.

I'm hoping that my bantams being the oldest will help. Yes, they'll still be smaller than the younger ones by the time the new ones are ready for the coop. But they are the oldest and there will be 15 of them (unless I sell males first) to the 5 LFs. So I hope that, coupled with them already being comfortable in the coop and run helps.

 

[redinator]

I'm hoping that my bantams being the oldest will help. Yes, they'll still be smaller than the younger ones by the time the new ones are ready for the coop. But they are the oldest and there will be 15 of them (unless I sell males first) to the 5 LFs. So I hope that, coupled with them already being comfortable in the coop and run helps.

Sweety was the smallest in my first group of 4 and size, does not matter, lol. She's the boss and the rest don't argue with her or they'll get flogged, lol

 

[ChickenChick46]

Sweety was the smallest in my first group of 4 and size, does not matter, lol. She's the boss and the rest don't argue with her or they'll get flogged, lol

Lol that's great! And now she's got her chicks to watch out for.

 

[redinator]

Lol that's great! And now she's got her chicks to watch out for.

She became a bit reclusive after they went missing for a few hours last week. I'm not sure if it was that or losing Taz, but she's finally back to her old self and still caring for the chicks. They'll be 6 weeks tomorrow and I keep wondering when she'll wean them.

 

[ChickenChick46]

She became a bit reclusive after they went missing for a few hours last week. I'm not sure if it was that or losing Taz, but she's finally back to her old self and still caring for the chicks. They'll be 6 weeks tomorrow and I keep wondering when she'll wean them.

Poor thing had a rough go between the chicks missing and Taz gone. I'm glad she's back to her old self again. I wonder how long before she decides to go broody again?

 

[redinator]

Poor thing had a rough go between the chicks missing and Taz gone. I'm glad she's back to her old self again. I wonder how long before she decides to go broody again?

Hopefully not too soon, lol. Knowing her she'll ditch her chicks and hatch some more right as the ones I'm incubating are ready to go out.

I'm hoping to get the Giants roosting with the main flock before these chicks hatch. I do not want to be managing multiple flocks again, lol. That was tiring!

 

[ChickenChick46]

Hopefully not too soon, lol. Knowing her she'll ditch her chicks and hatch some more right as the ones I'm incubating are ready to go out.

I'm hoping to get the Giants roosting with the main flock before these chicks hatch. I do not want to be managing multiple flocks again, lol. That was tiring!

I bet! You have way more than I do, and having my 8 outside and 7 inside was enough before they integrated. Now I've got 15 outside and 5 inside. So I'm still kind of doing it, lol.

All the while planning to get an incubator and hatch eggs, so why am I babbling?