When your hubby asks what you want for Christmas, you ask for a conure, & he gifts you SG chicks. 
I've never had chickens, only guinea fowl. -yes, I know they can't live together, but he didn't.
For now, they're in the brooder I use for my goon babies, which is a huge clear tote that I don't think they even make anymore (the size). It's served as a brooder, a hospital, & one singleton hatched in November lived in it until the following spring when she was ready to move to the coop.
There are 2 chicks, and from what I read, they're probably going to be bigger than my guineas who've been inside? I have no idea how old they are, he bought from RK. one has tiny tail feathers, both tiny wing feathers,otherwise still fluffy. Nor am I certain abt sexes..no white spot on head, both have a white feather in their wing, one has black legs, one has 1/2 black, 1/2 yellow, & I've noted comments in the site abt false breeding/advertising so chicks aren't true SG. Then someone mentioned black sex link as opposed to blue sex link, and that totally confounded me. One is much darker with a black rear, where as the other is bluish gray. I know, pictures-I'll get there, but they aren't cooperative & I nearly conked one trying to hold them in one hand & the phone in the other.
I see they don't need as much heat for as long as guineas, he got them nutrena organic crumbles & I picked up chick grit & corid today (to have on hand). When can they have fresh food (fruit, seed, etc.)? From what I read, socialization is important, so they're secure in the living room where we all are, including dogs (2 dogs are old hands at this, will be good training for the puppy to grow up with them). Very snuggly little birds.
The precaution of restocking the corid came after SEEING before reading something about shedding intestinal lining? Can't say that's something I've noticed with keets. Thought for sure I'd wake up to 2 dead chicks, but I cleaned them up, notice their bums were clean and pink, so went back to reading-and they're still here, 2 days later.
Seems like my guinea keet training included the fact that they were far more fragile than chicks, so if anything, I may be over cautious with them, but lay it on me, what do I need to be aware of?
I'm assuming they aren't vaccinated, coming from HH. Is it too late to have that done, & will a vet do it, bc a vial is $250 and that seems wasteful. Or does it need to be done for BYC that will be living inside all winter & secluded to our yard w/no other chickens around?
Is there any kind of chart to help pinpoint their age? I know they ship at hatch, but no idea how long they stick around in the store.
I've never had chickens, only guinea fowl. -yes, I know they can't live together, but he didn't.
For now, they're in the brooder I use for my goon babies, which is a huge clear tote that I don't think they even make anymore (the size). It's served as a brooder, a hospital, & one singleton hatched in November lived in it until the following spring when she was ready to move to the coop.
There are 2 chicks, and from what I read, they're probably going to be bigger than my guineas who've been inside? I have no idea how old they are, he bought from RK. one has tiny tail feathers, both tiny wing feathers,otherwise still fluffy. Nor am I certain abt sexes..no white spot on head, both have a white feather in their wing, one has black legs, one has 1/2 black, 1/2 yellow, & I've noted comments in the site abt false breeding/advertising so chicks aren't true SG. Then someone mentioned black sex link as opposed to blue sex link, and that totally confounded me. One is much darker with a black rear, where as the other is bluish gray. I know, pictures-I'll get there, but they aren't cooperative & I nearly conked one trying to hold them in one hand & the phone in the other.
I see they don't need as much heat for as long as guineas, he got them nutrena organic crumbles & I picked up chick grit & corid today (to have on hand). When can they have fresh food (fruit, seed, etc.)? From what I read, socialization is important, so they're secure in the living room where we all are, including dogs (2 dogs are old hands at this, will be good training for the puppy to grow up with them). Very snuggly little birds.
The precaution of restocking the corid came after SEEING before reading something about shedding intestinal lining? Can't say that's something I've noticed with keets. Thought for sure I'd wake up to 2 dead chicks, but I cleaned them up, notice their bums were clean and pink, so went back to reading-and they're still here, 2 days later.
Seems like my guinea keet training included the fact that they were far more fragile than chicks, so if anything, I may be over cautious with them, but lay it on me, what do I need to be aware of?
I'm assuming they aren't vaccinated, coming from HH. Is it too late to have that done, & will a vet do it, bc a vial is $250 and that seems wasteful. Or does it need to be done for BYC that will be living inside all winter & secluded to our yard w/no other chickens around?
Is there any kind of chart to help pinpoint their age? I know they ship at hatch, but no idea how long they stick around in the store.
They aren't afraid of me or my hands. After checking every possible thing that could be causing them to get louder & louder this evening, I learned that it was "cuddle time," and as soon as they each found "their spot" up against me, they flopped like wet noodles, sound asleep.
