Well I finally picked up my Mottled Java's today. Ten of them, straight run, mixed ages between 2 and 3 weeks. So, while I was doing the 4hr round trip run to SandS Poultry on the NC Coast my husband was working on the outdoor brooder that got blasted in the windstorm. We had it turned right side up and shored up yesterday, but had to get the roof on top.
It took him until almost dark to get that done. So the chickies get one more night in my Master Bath. All twelve of them (White Java and Delaware) in the Rabbit Cage Brooder. DH came in and said he thought they were overheated because the Mottled Java's were panting. I informed him that he was incorrect, that it was simply because the White Java and the Delaware would not let them near the food or Water. Keep in mind the Delaware is the same age as many of these chicks.
To appease DH I went to the kitchen to get the infrared thermometer. The cage was running from 80* at the food end to 92* at the opposite end where most of the birds were cuddled. It was a fine range for a cage holding 2-5 week birds. This is where the fun starts. The thermometer has a laser on it to show you exactly what spot you are measuring. All of the chickens were interested in the red dot when it was right in front of them, but only SawsAll the Delaware HEN would chase it. And did she chase it...all around the cage. She didn't care who she stepped on, shoved, or jumped...she was going to get that dot. Once my husband accidentally had it on the back of the white Java and SawsAll even tried to peck it there!
It was the funniest thing. All these chicks laying down and ONE just running around stepping on them, shoving them, jumping them to get the dot.
Long live the Delaware. The first to get the worm!
Laney
(SawsAll definitely has HEN feathers growing in her little tail!!)