Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[cheeka]

so that's me... and Pebble.

Mr and Mrs Poo

 

[showbarnmom]

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.

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 haven't seen them under it in a while. So I figured it was time. But I have been concerned because its been raining or really humid at night.

 

[BullChick]

Quote:
In the end it depends on the chicks. I have to admit that I have not taken the brooder temperature since the first batch. They wanted more heat in the first few weeks, and then it suddenly became "raise the lamp, Mom!" That changed the first two weeks outside. They wanted it at night, but the weather had gotten cold again (it was May). Since then, I think most of the chicks are happier with less heat, and no heat by 4-6 weeks even in March.

 

[BullChick]

I heard a bunch of peeping and Baby clucking. I didn't see anything wrong, and thought I saw 3 chicks. About five minutes later I checked again.

The yellow chick was stuck inside the feeder!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I heard a bunch of peeping and Baby clucking. I didn't see anything wrong, and thought I saw 3 chicks. About five minutes later I checked again.

The yellow chick was stuck inside the feeder!

Awww LOL skeeery!

That must be the daring one!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Sully, nice setup! beautiful chicks... really great pictures!

X2!!! Love all the roost space!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Cheeka, great pic of you and your grandchick. Mr. and Mrs. Poo look like they will be very happy together. Missed a bit of the Mylee report. Hope you guys had fun!

Sully, chicks that are a week apart should be good together. I put some together that were two weeks apart and they did fine. I've heard that a dominant rooster will inhibit the development of the subordinates, but don't know if it's an old wives tale or if there's some science to it. Sounds possible. Or maybe the dominant roo is just the one that develops first!

Your coop is tres cool, and the chicks are darling. I will be curious to hear how the CLs are temperament wise and the Buckeye. I had considered these breeds, but after the overbearing bossy busybody Leghorn I have, I decided I want easy going girls. That Leghorn is giving some of the other hens bald heads and makes everybody jumpy. She makes a terrible rooster! I'd get rid of her, but my #2 son is very attached. He thinks she's funny.

 

[cheeka]

ahhhh, there's been no Mylee report... because she's off with her Dad this week... it was unexpected... Matthew stuck around after last week and then decided to stay this week and decided to bring Mylee around where he grew up. She'll be back tomorrow. I've only spoken to her once, bc when she talks to me, she wants to come back... gets a bit upset, so it's best if she's distracted. I miss her so much. she's getting to do lots of cool stuff, 4-wheeling, movies...

it was already raining when I got up at 6, supposed to be crappy all day. temps will slide back into the 50's by the afternoon. no break from this pattern til Saturday. but it sure is lush and green 'round here! this time last year, we were in such a drought... I remember typing that taking a walk on my property sounded like walking on bags of potato chips, crunch crunch crunch, makes me think of W4W right now... sure wish it would rain out west!

MC, my friends who have the most recent of Peaches chicks... had to tape off the bars of the crate they are using where the roosts poke through, one of the chicks is narrow enough to push through, and get stuck... poor little thing has a wicked crooked feather from the last escape attempt!

Sully, x 2 with W4W on putting the chicks together, they'll do well.

the new little chicks I have are super cute. looks like the Marans are developing feathered shanks. I saw slight patchy color differences on the shanks... now I see the feathers coming in nicely. one has copper feathers in the neck, one is more black. both are cuckoo mixed with other Marans... so beautiful... and the little white one is brilliantly white these days. they have been ranging with all the hens - of course, Peach is a very dedicated Mother who protects them fiercely... and they stay in one somewhat protected area off to the side of the runs. yesterday, they ventured further, and mixed in well. No One bothered them.

 

[SullyD]

Funny, with all that roosting space, they all cram into a small 1 foot section at night! They are on top of each other. That must be the prime location!

Everything I read about the CLs, Buckeyes and Delawares stated that they were easy going, and less flighty. I will let you know if that holds true.

I will be putting the youngsters together tonite, then I will put them outside tomorrow, too. It has been really warm here so I don't think they will miss the brooder! Hopefully they will be ok in their new home with the big kids, (not the really big kids). Although, should I wait until they are more fully feathered before introducing them to the now, three month olds?

I am hoping to finish putting a shade cover on my garden, turned chicken run, by the end of next week with the chickens going in next weekend. They have been in the new coop for three weeks now. Any ideas on how to get them back and forth? Pie??

 

[animallover505]

Hey! Just got back from wildlife!