Should I?

[HowIsItDone]

Yes, the top and the bottom are off.

We use big rocks inside to keep it down in case of wind.

I use clothes pins or potato chip bag clips to pin a towel or blanket on a couple of sides for either shade or to block the wind.

It's 65F and raining so I can't put them out today. I'll get a better picture of them there, but here it is being used as a broody jail. We changed the jail to a wire dog pen now so the young ones could have this.

View attachment 3864300

Here is a former group of chicks that were in it. Here we used rocks and logs to keep it in place.

View attachment 3864301


This shows the two nipple waterers in the brooder. At this point, we were teaching them to use a horizontal nipple as when they get outside, that's what's in the coops.
View attachment 3864306

This was last summer and are two pictures showing my dogs "guarding" them.

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The two roosters roam the yard and if they think there's danger, they sound the alarm. I've had a rooster tell his hens to get in the coop and he stood up to 2 dogs that got out and came here from down the road. The dogs (blue tick healers) stood there staring him down until our dogs saw what was going on and chased them off.

Don't you just love your dogs?!?
Always looking after the whole family.

I'm hoping that mine wants to guard the flock.

 

[HowIsItDone]

Well, it happened!

The chicks have been home for 2 1/2 hours.
I showed them how to drink, and where to find their brooder plate, and later introduced crumble.

They've been exploring while quietly chirping , and then they go back under the plate for bit.
I keep thinking I have a window open, and am hearing birds chirp in the distance, then I remember that I'm sitting 5 feet away, so they seem content.

Thank you to everyone on BYC for all the great advice that got me this far!

I'm happy to answer any questions, or consider any recommendations.

 

[TwoCrows]

Well, it happened!

The chicks have been home for 2 1/2 hours.
I showed them how to drink, and where to find their brooder plate, and later introduced crumble.

They've been exploring while quietly chirping , and then they go back under the plate for bit.
I keep thinking I have a window open, and am hearing birds chirp in the distance, then I remember that I'm sitting 5 feet away, so they seem content.

Thank you to everyone on BYC for all the great advice that got me this far!

I'm happy to answer any questions, or consider any recommendations.

Adorable, congrats on your new babies!!

 

[HowIsItDone]

How do I tell the 3 Buff Orpingtons apart?
The Plymouth Rocks have distinct markings, but the Buff's seem identical.

 

[TwoCrows]

How do I tell the 3 Buff Orpingtons apart?
The Plymouth Rocks have distinct markings, but the Buff's seem identical.

There are always subtle differences in their faces, combs especially, no two combs are alike. Study them closely and you will eventually be able to tell them apart.

 

[N F C]

Well, it happened!

The chicks have been home for 2 1/2 hours.
I showed them how to drink, and where to find their brooder plate, and later introduced crumble.

They've been exploring while quietly chirping , and then they go back under the plate for bit.
I keep thinking I have a window open, and am hearing birds chirp in the distance, then I remember that I'm sitting 5 feet away, so they seem content.

Thank you to everyone on BYC for all the great advice that got me this far!

I'm happy to answer any questions, or consider any recommendations.

Congratulations on your chicks!

 

[HowIsItDone]

Congratulations on your chicks!

Thanks! It goes from mayhem to silence.
This is so cool!

 

[N F C]

Thanks! It goes from mayhem to silence.
This is so cool!

It really is! Glad you're having fun

 

[HowIsItDone]

There are always subtle differences in their faces, combs especially, no two combs are alike. Study them closely and you will eventually be able to tell them apart.

Okay, thanks. All I've got so far, is that one of them likes to come racing out from under the heat plate at warp speed, and scare the rest of them.

 

[TwoCrows]

Okay, thanks. All I've got so far, is that one of them likes to come racing out from under the heat plate at warp speed, and scare the rest of them.

Babies can be difficult to distinguish but as they grow you will see subtle differences.