Ribh's D'Coopage

[RoyalChick]

That's what I was worried about MJ. I'm a briber with POLs. They simply can't resist a tasty mealworm. Chicks probably can't either but whether they should have them or not...

I remember now, mine weren't interested in any treat for a couple of months and they hated me. I remember feeling quite upset.
They were entirely uninterested in mealy worms. But the ones I had were dried.
So I got a small pot of live ones and offered them all wriggling on my hand. They became my instant BFFs!

 

[BY Bob]

They would be eating bugs if they were with their mama!

Exactly. Fat is also an essential part of building cells. They will need some in a balanced diet. I'm sure their feed has some in it. Chick feed here has a minimum of 20% protein and 3% fat. 20 % fat in meal worms is very high but if it is balanced out with some no fat treats their diet won't go out of balance. It is all about balance. Too much of anything is bad and shifting their diet too much in one direction is also not good.

I'm sure people may think I give too many treats but I try to balance out the diet. I don't believe that I have fat hens. I tease Aurora but she is mean and needs teased.

 

[BY Bob]

Good idea MJ! Bookmarked!

I'm thinking about creating photos charts to post in my office.

 

[BY Bob]

I got Tsuki, Deana and Zen at a few days old too.

I brought them home in a cat crate with a wire door and popped them on the floor in the lounge room while I put fresh water in their dog crate brooder.

Well, I was gone for less than a minute and heard loud peeping. One of the chicks had squeezed through the bars on the door and was starting to explore the lounge room. This wouldn't have been too worrying if the cats hadn't started to take an interest....

I got them into the brooder quick smart after that.

No prizes for guessing who the escape artist was.

Yes, it was Tsuki. She was nick named Houdini for a while.

I live that girl. Their personalities emerge so quickly. Here was Jabberwocky as a chick. He broke out of the brooder through the roof at 4 weeks old I believe. Jabber was trying to tell me something about his personality. Luckily for me Davis was there to keep track of him for me. That cat won't harm any animal. He is a big old softie.

He was T-Rex posing for me at a week old. How naive I was to think he was a pullet for so long.

 

[BY Bob]

Woohoo! Congratulations Little Princesses and RC. First eggs are soooo exciting!

That was so well written RC. I could just picture the grumpy stomping and slamming of doors.
I'm glad your girls could cheer you up on a rotten day.

I agree. That was well written. I was stomping along with you. Nice job.

 

[BY Bob]

I've only ever really done POLs & even the Campines have gentled with time & patience. The Belgians are just minusculeAnd I'm terrified of them.

Those little itty bitty things are tougher than you imagine.

 

[BY Bob]

Don't be afraid to handle them...it will help them to warm up to you so much faster! We always had Banty's until this year, they are tiny, but tough enough!

Good advice here. Don't be afraid, you won't break them.

 

[BY Bob]

Taking @drstratton 's advice I took time this afternoon to handle several of my new girls.
Desdemona was first ~ & the calmest by far! There was a little thrumming through her body but she settled & chirped & chirruped.

View attachment 2437472
Ceres wasn't impressed @ all.

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An Olivia was just panicked.

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And this is why they have to be able to be handled. Little cuddle puddles all over the pen as the sun went down. I had to hoy everyone into the coop. I will open the door a bit later on as 1/2 the nutters headed straight back out. The coop is much safer than the run.

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They are just beyond adorable.

 

[BY Bob]

A little vid...

She does not seem anxious at all. Desdemona seems to fit her too. Well done!

 

[BY Bob]

I think someone needs a standard for Mistress Quickly.

An Orpington I think. Bigger lady. Think irony. Mistress Quickly should move slowly.