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

[redinator]

I love that this batch is chicks is so use to being handled, being away from the flock doesn't stress them out. The proof is in the picture

 

[AnneGirlGG]

KitKat seems to have a leg injury, so she's earned some TLC, a lap nap, all the food she can eat and some NurtriDrench water. I'm glad I had the brooder set up for the chicks in the incubator.
View attachment 4241491

Poor KitKat! I hope she recovers quickly.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

I love that this batch is chicks is so use to being handled, being away from the flock doesn't stress them out. The proof is in the picture
View attachment 4241496

She so precious!

 

[redinator]

She so precious!

Doesn't she look part Polish, maybe even Silkie, with that head crest? Her's isn't even the poofiest, lol

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Doesn't she look part Polish, maybe even Silkie, with that head crest? Her's isn't even the poofiest, lol

My first thought was Polish, lol.

 

[redinator]

There hasn't been too much craziness this last couple of weeks. I sold the chicks from the Halloween Hatch along and 6 of the Black Sexlink Pullets. I kept two for myself and they need names, I'm thinking Elvira for the one with the most red and Wicked for the darker one, thoughts?

The one with the most red (Elvira)


And this girl with a very wicked gaze. She has the most black/darkest sink of the lot. (Wicked)


Tonight the temperature will be below freezing, mid to high 20's. Thankfully it's supposed to be a quick cold snap, but enough for me to quit lollygagging and get to work.

The runs are wrapped with landscape fabric.
I decided to go with landscape fabric because I feel like it'll breathe better than using something like a tarp. This is my first run at winterizing for chickens, so any suggestions are welcome.

I even put the chickens to work
Instead of spreading the shavings, soil, sand and pelleted bedding myself I opened them in the run and let the chickens spread it all out. To encourage them to dig a little deeper I tossed in some mealworms and birdseed then buried them.

The majority of the flock gave me a look of confusion as to why I'd do such a thing. The youngest, Cookie's bunch and Sweety's brood, dove right in while the older chickens stood back and waited to see if they'd disappear, lol. They eventually all dug in and I figure it'll get their blood pumping and help keep them warm tonight.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

There hasn't been too much craziness this last couple of weeks. I sold the chicks from the Halloween Hatch along and 6 of the Black Sexlink Pullets. I kept two for myself and they need names, I'm thinking Elvira for the one with the most red and Wicked for the darker one, thoughts?

The one with the most red (Elvira)
View attachment 4249378

And this girl with a very wicked gaze. She has the most black/darkest sink of the lot. (Wicked)
View attachment 4249379

Tonight the temperature will be below freezing, mid to high 20's. Thankfully it's supposed to be a quick cold snap, but enough for me to quit lollygagging and get to work.

The runs are wrapped with landscape fabric. View attachment 4249375View attachment 4249376
I decided to go with landscape fabric because I feel like it'll breathe better than using something like a tarp. This is my first run at winterizing for chickens, so any suggestions are welcome.

I even put the chickens to workView attachment 4249377
Instead of spreading the shavings, soil, sand and pelleted bedding myself I opened them in the run and let the chickens spread it all out. To encourage them to dig a little deeper I tossed in some mealworms and birdseed then buried them.

The majority of the flock gave me a look of confusion as to why I'd do such a thing. The youngest, Cookie's bunch and Sweety's brood, dove right in while the older chickens stood back and waited to see if they'd disappear, lol. They eventually all dug in and I figure it'll get their blood pumping and help keep them warm tonight.

Love the names!

I hope everyone does well through the cold tonight. It's supposed to be short-lived here as well, but it isn't stopping me from being crazy worried about my chickens.

 

[redinator]

Love the names!

I hope everyone does well through the cold tonight. It's supposed to be short-lived here as well, but it isn't stopping me from being crazy worried about my chickens.

I was fine until I picked a few up and realized their little feets are cold . They need stockings, lol.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

I was fine until I picked a few up and realized their little feets are cold . They need stockings, lol.

I know! Alice jumped on me earlier and her little feet were cold. I felt so bad!

 

[redinator]

Everyone made it through. The temps dipped into mid to low 30's overnight and everyone made it.

I did realize while researching 'how to keep chickens warm' I need to change out the round poles for flat pieces of wood on their perches. That will be on my project list for this weekend.