So Now I have chickens...

[Mother-Rhodes]

So, a little bit about us... I now have four rhode island reds... Itsy , Bitsy, Teenie, and Weenie... their coop is about 7 ft long about 5 ft wide and about 4 ft tall and is attached to a run that is enclosed that is about another 8 ft. the coop is raised so they have shade.

They were born May 20. They really don't seem to like me touching them,,, they walk near me but are not fond of me touching them eventually they will give in though,

The original coop was small. I bought it used, power washed it, painted it... and then my sweet husband built the addition so that is why i'm not sure how big it is any more...He built and installed a new door so I could get in and clean it easier. Then he framed a window and installed it. It's not as large or fancy as some I've seen here but there is plenty of space for 4 spoiled chickens.

We live in Michigan and it does get cold...I think pine shavings and straw will keep them warm.
Not sure where to go from here ... I will be searching the forum to find places to ask questions.

 

[Frindizzle]

from Washington! In our flock we have great people and it is always great to have a new member In our flock, we have no pecking order!

By the way, not saying that you will do anything bad, but no fowl play

Try putting this under a different area. This area is to greet and meet other areas might help you find you proper answer.

Good luck!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Your RIRs have cute names. My granddaughter names our hens after Disney princesses. Just post any questions you may have on the forum and I'm sure you'll get lots of replies. We are here to help in any way we can. If you haven't done so already, you might want to check out our Learning Center as well. There is a lot of useful information there. Rhode Island Reds are a cold hardy breed, so as long as your coop is dry and draft free, they should be fine in cold weather. Good luck with your girls.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Chicks generally don't like to be touched or even picked up. But you can tame them down greatly with treats and goodies. Go sit with them on the ground and bring some goodies. Let them crawl all over you and on your lap. Let them become used to you and not afraid of you. Once they start lap sitting, you can start to lightly pet them. Over time they will tolerate it and eventually can come to enjoy it. But chickens really don't like their feet to leave the ground. So they may always squirm to get out of your arms.

Good luck with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Chicks are skittish by nature and it will take them some time to open up to you. (It also depends on breed.) But, if you handle, cuddle, talk to and bond with them daily, you'll get some very tame chicks.

 

[drumstick diva]

Glad you joined the flock. Chicks will warm up to you quicker if you just sit on the floor/grass near them. They like to do the climbing and exploring. If you give treats they will be climbing and exploring all over you. A painters cap may prevent some poo droppings from above.

 

[Papas Chickens]

Welcome to BYC. My girls are almost four weeks old and they climb, jump, fly and love peck me lol, here is what did. I started handling them two to three times a day while I did there health checks, (note you may have to catch them the first few times) While I held them I just talked to them in a low kind voice they soon learned that I wouldnt hurt them. Then started hand feeding them raisins while sitting on a milk crate. I just hold the tip of a raisin with my fingers and gently call them over by saying (come on girls or here girls) they quickly got the idea that when Papa calls them they get a tasty sweet treat, ive been doing this since they were a little over a week old. Now when they here me coming they all stand in a row waiting for there treat and health check. They climb all over me and I love it lol.

 

[Mother-Rhodes]

I will find the right spot to post pics soon. They are 8 weeks old today... They are still babies and try to figure things out so the 5 of us are learning together!
Thanks for the warm welcome and yes I spend a lot of time reading the learning center posts.
I sit outside with them for a bit in the evenings and yes they do look at me and peck around me... they use to like meal worms until I put them in the coop with the run, now they love grass more than anything! When they were in their cage I gave them cut up lettuce and greens but getting your own grass must be the high light of a chickens day!They still pick at meal worms but not as much as they use to.
i think i made a mistake though, I kept them in the coop for a day and then opened the door... now they don't like going back in the evenings. so now I have to go pick each one up and put them in the coop in the evening. I don;t like the idea of them sleeping in the run; we live in an area with a lot of predators. not sure how to teach them to go into the coop when the sun goes down.

 

[Papas Chickens]

My girls are still in there growing coop but im thinking about introducing them to there run this coming week, I have 30 six day old chicks that will need the growing coop soon lol.