Spring 2017 first timers post!

[thebayougypsy]

I have 21 chicks from Meyer Hatchery and they are beginning week 2. We also picked up 2 freshly hatched turkey poults this past Sunday. So far, we have only lost one chick. Very sad but everyone else is doing well. We currently have our brooder inside because we were experiencing a cold snap here in Louisiana but we will probably move to the barn in the next week or two. It's warming up fast now outside. Still waiting on our chicken tractor to be finished but it should be done in the next couple weeks too. Can't wait to see everyone's babies! Here are a few snaps of our flock.

 

[Blooie]

In case it helps anyone else:

The chicks were ignoring the horizontal nipple for 2 weeks, used a vertical immediately when I offered it and now after a day of using the vertical have figured out the horizontal also. The vertical definitely leaks a lot more so will be only temporary until I am sure they can all use the horizontal.

Put a glass candle lid with marbles or some such underneath the trigger on the vertical nipple...it's small enough in diameter not to interfere with them reaching the nipple, the tinier ones can even stand on the lip and reach better, any drips go into the lid instead of into the bedding, and the chicks will drink the little bit that accumulates in it without ignoring the main source of water - the nipple.

 

[Magnolia7330]

We're making some progress on the coop, but we have a ways to go yet.

The 5 week olds out in their playpen:

And the 1 week olds in the homeschool room brooder:

Nice coop!

 

[Magnolia7330]

The chicks have arrived. All are eating and drinking.

Black Australorp

Welsummer

Easter Egger

Meyer Mealmaker. Any guesses what she may be?

 

[pioneerchick816]

My Chicks Have Shipped

 

[bajabirdbrain]

Your Meal Maker looks a lot like my New Hampshire Red chicks.

 

[rainee63]

Are any of y'all keeping your chicks separated by breed? I have a coop for my easter eggers and a big one for the BOs. Soon I'll need one for the baby australorps. And I have a friend who wants me to try hatching eggs from his d'uccle bantams again. He gave me 3 this last time but none of them hatched. I think it would be kinda awesome to maybe hatch hatchlings next year from my 1st hatchlings this year. Be a chicken grandma. Lol

 

[rodewarrior]

Gary and wydflwr:  Have you forgotton about my bug phobia?  Creepy crawlies in my coop would freak me out so I must try the poop boards first.  If they get too annoying MAYBE I'll try the deep litter.  
[/quote]

Chickens eat bugs

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Gary and wydflwr: Have you forgotton about my bug phobia? Creepy crawlies in my coop would freak me out so I must try the poop boards first. If they get too annoying MAYBE I'll try the deep litter.

Chickens eat bugs

[/QUOTE]

Gary

 

[ewerbos]

Gary and wydflwr: Have you forgotton about my bug phobia? Creepy crawlies in my coop would freak me out so I must try the poop boards first. If they get too annoying MAYBE I'll try the deep litter.

Chickens eat bugs

[/QUOTE]
My husband used to HATE HATE HATE stinkbugs, and when they get in the house... now he is excited whenever he sees one because he can feed it to "the ladies"...