Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

Thank you for the warm welcome into this group.

W4W I have 3 Missouri Fox Trotters and 2 mini horses. I was thinking of keeping the black (Blue Am-Johnny Cash) roo, with the Splash (Blue Am-Cindi) together, then pick my favorite CL roo to keep with the 2 pullets, (in separate coops). That leaves 3 (might be 4) roos that will need either re-homing or someone's dinner (not mine, can't do that yet)

I have 7 other pullets that are 2 weeks old. Would they be better with the Blue Am's or the CL's? Winner gets the bigger coop! Would they all be able to share a large outdoor run during the day, and different coops at night? My plan is to keep the population around 20 and selling extra chicks. Not sure what I would produce if the other pullets went with either of the two roos!

Sally (and others that know more than me), you said you replaced the hay in the coop. Is it possible the hay was moldy? Could the chickens have breathed in some toxic mold? Not even sure if that could be an issue, but it can make horses sick, why not chickens?? I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you get whatever this is you are dealing with, under control, and you get some answers.

Trotters. Cool. What colors? Any pics?

Most folks recommend keeping a minimum of 10 hens per rooster so his "attentions" can be shared among all the girls. This will prevent him from wearing out one or two poor girls who would be the object of his constant attentions. Of course, not all roosters are created equal, and many of them are gentlemen who treat the hens well and do fine in breeding trios. Our little Serama roo has been very interested in his little pullet companion for many many weeks now, and so far he respects her refusals. You will have a choice of CL roos to see who treats the girls the best and shows no aggression to people.

Will a black x splash give you the possibility of blue offspring? I forget how the genetics work. Either of those roosters over a brown egg laying pullet will give you mostly green egg laying EEs. If you get a dark brown egg layer, you could get some olive egger offspring. (I'm not sure if either parent can have the blue egg gene, but I think so.)

Mixing your 2 week olds with older birds can cause problems, but you can try it with supervision. At night, there's no problem because chickens have terrible vision in the dark (no rods in the retina, only cones) so once they roost for the night, there is no hanky-panky. But the danger is in the morning if an older bird decides to assert dominance and draws blood, the others will join in (like sharks) and you will have a dead chick. Most people say to wait until they birds are close in size and introduce them slowly. How old are the older ones?
 
How old is old enough for no more light at night? Have 6 3-4 week olds in my outdoor brooder cage. They are 80% feathered, all but about the top of their necks and chest. Would really like to set up a run cage to introduce them to the big girls (all less than a year old, and the oldest are fixing to be gone because they aren't laying.) But no red night light in the run pen. We are 90+ day time and about 70-75 night times.
 
How old is old enough for no more light at night? Have 6 3-4 week olds in my outdoor brooder cage. They are 80% feathered, all but about the top of their necks and chest. Would really like to set up a run cage to introduce them to the big girls (all less than a year old, and the oldest are fixing to be gone because they aren't laying.) But no red night light in the run pen. We are 90+ day time and about 70-75 night times.

Turn it off, and feel calm. My BCM chicks have not had a light in about two weeks (it may have only been one). They are five weeks today.
They are happier without it, and it has gone down to about 41 at night lately.
 
How old is old enough for no more light at night? Have 6 3-4 week olds in my outdoor brooder cage. They are 80% feathered, all but about the top of their necks and chest. Would really like to set up a run cage to introduce them to the big girls (all less than a year old, and the oldest are fixing to be gone because they aren't laying.) But no red night light in the run pen. We are 90+ day time and about 70-75 night times.

You can tell by their behavior in the brooder. When you set the light on them at night do they huddle up near it or head to the opposite end away from the light? Your night temps are warm, but you have to be concerned about drafts. 5-6 weeks is usually recommended, but I don't expect many are having your warm nights so early in the year.
 
I don't want to jinx myself, but we may be on the upswing now. The girls are acting better today....obviously not fully themself but so much better than last night. I was worried that I would wake up to a dead flock. Tossed and turned all night. I didn't even want to see them this morning. I just could not imagine finding another dead baby. Last night I was laying in bed telling my husband how I agonized over getting these girls. Cheeka you remember how I was crazy waiting for these girls to come. Even though I have gained other birds since then, the feeling isn't the same. These first girls were my babies and I just can't describe the fear and excitement I felt when they first came. Now I am sad that the three passed in under a year. I know now that you should never feel comfortable with how things are going. I questioned if I was cut out for keeping chickens these past few days. I mean half the people I talked to told me it was 'just a chicken', that included a vet's receptionist. I worried that I was too attached and maybe needed some distance from them. Its not like you can turn off your feelings though and I know it is just part of life and I will work through these things as they come up. I noticed this morning that there is a lot more talking in the coop. It seems everyone is feeling a bit perkier. Yesterday was downright scary. I will try and post some pictures so someone can learn from my loss.

Silkie downstairs is looking fine, she never looked bad but just in case she got corid too. Also coop 2 got corid and they are fine never showed any signs of stress etc. Rather be safe than sorry.
 
Sally, I am sorry we are all learning at your expense. I am in process of putting together a Chicken First Aid Kit, starting with the book, "The Chicken Health Handbook". Might be a good thing for someone to market! Thank goodness your babies seem better today. I hope you are over the hump.

W4W-I have some 3 week old BR's, Delaware, and a buckeye that I want to add 3-2 week old Blue Am's to. I think they will be ok together and the younger chicks will learn from the older chicks. Then I can keep them all in the smaller coop until they are big enough to join the 3 month old's. Maybe at that time I can separate the roos to their own bachelor pad? I will still be bringing them in at night. I keep them in one of my 100 gal. water troughs. I purchased a Brinsea EcoGlow 20 brooder when I bought my incubator. I was deathly afraid that the heat lamp would fall into the shavings and burn down my barn! The chicks love it! I highly recommend it! Throws just enough warmth and I think it is close to the natural habit of going under mom to warm up. Gives them a safe place to hide and get warm. The height is also adjustable. Then you don't have to worry about lights at night. It is weird with my roos. The CL Roos, all hatched the same day, one has been "crowing" for 2 weeks now and has a very large red comb and large wattles. The other 3, not so much. The Blue Am shows no sign of maturity except his comb is not a single and slightly pink, and he is a week older than the CL's. Is that normal?? No fighting, no interest so far in the girls. Enjoying the peace for now. I am in process of putting a shade cover (to shade and protect against airborne attacks!), over my 17' x 43' garden, will they all be ok out together even if the youngers have not been introduced yet, or do I wait until they have been introduced to put them out during the day? So much to learn!

Here are pics of the new members of the flock. The tiny ones are the new Blue Am's, the blacks are the BR's, the white is the Delaware, and the brown is the Buckeye. If the horses cooperate, I will get a picture together of, Rosie, Stella, Pearl, Mini Pearl and Mae West, the horses. And the new coop too, (obviously shown before the chickens went in, it is not this pristine anymore!).
est!

















it is hard to see the little black chick, it blends in with the trough. It looks like a penguin with white from the chin all the way to the tail!
 
Sally, it's such a relief that today shows improvement! certainly is crazy how fast these things happen... but you are cut out to keep chickens. I wouldn't want you to try to change how you feel about your birds. the attachment makes it more fun, and less work. it's so sad, but you gave them the best life ever! I really do know how you feel... about the 1st babies being the most special. I feel the same way. we're all learning together...

I got to see Pebble today. I picked up the Amber Link pullet that I was offered and gave her to Pebble's family. it's the start of my second flock...She is a beautiful white pullet, maybe 2-3 weeks older than Pebble. her name is Winnie. my friend calls Pebble "Pebblie-Poo" cuz he poops all over the shop... so they are the Poo's... Pebble and Winnie. next Spring, I'll get chicks (or hatching eggs) from them. I have pictures, but there still in the camera.

it stopped raining this afternoon... the chicken area is a little stinky. they've been stuck inside for days on end... a little free range today was nice. tomorrow I have to dig out all the old bedding that is now really nice dirt, and move it to the front flower weed beds.
 

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