Out of my 28 wild two week old babies, I am going to select four today to be our laying hens (two Barred Rock and two Orpingtons).
They will get names and treats and cuddles. It will feel good to finally get attached to some of these babies! The lucky four will also get their own, private brooder in the house. The others will go into the big patio brooder.
As for the fate of the other 24...well....
If we end up with an Orpington rooster, I get to rescue him, too. I have to look up what age roosters begin to crow.
I was thinking about looking for the calmest, most cuddly ones when I am moving them to clean their brooder. Previous moves have shown variety in the reactions of the chicks to handling. The selected ones should go to sleep in my hands, too. Does anyone else have any criteria they can suggest?

As for the fate of the other 24...well....


If we end up with an Orpington rooster, I get to rescue him, too. I have to look up what age roosters begin to crow.

I was thinking about looking for the calmest, most cuddly ones when I am moving them to clean their brooder. Previous moves have shown variety in the reactions of the chicks to handling. The selected ones should go to sleep in my hands, too. Does anyone else have any criteria they can suggest?