The Expecting Chick Momma Thread

[Prettypuddles]

My chicks are due to arrive today from MPC. I will be a first time chicken owner! I ordered 5 Buff Orpingtons, 5 Plymouth Barred Rocks, and 5 Easter eggers.
I keep checking the tracking number to see where they are (Im being OCD!

) - they were in central processing just 30 min away from my P.O.last night and now just waiting for the call from the P.O.!

I live in the suburbs, but I have a very nice large area for them to roam. My husband is almost done with a really nice coop that he is building.

 

[starlingdaly]

My chicks are due to arrive today from MPC. I will be a first time chicken owner! I ordered 5 Buff Orpingtons, 5 Plymouth Barred Rocks, and 5 Easter eggers. I keep checking the tracking number to see where they are (Im being OCD!

) - they were in central processing just 30 min away from my P.O.last night and now just waiting for the call from the P.O.! I live in the suburbs, but I have a very nice large area for them to roam. My husband is almost done with a really nice coop that he is building.

Whoooo congrats!!! You are going to LOVE them! Every buff orpington I've had has been one of my favorites, and my EE is super sweet! I've never had adult Plymouth barred rocks but the chicks were very sweet so it sounds like a perfect mix!

 

[tstringer]

Good Call! I changed my order because I do want an assortment of bantams. So new line up is 1 each barred plymouth, black frizzle cochin, mille fleur, buff brahma, and blue andalusian.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have my chicks in September.

 

[tstringer]

Exciting. please post your how it goes on arrival! I will be in your shoes in a few months so very interested to see how for the first few days goes for you

 

[Prettypuddles]

The babies have arrived! I ordered 5 of each, but sadly one did not make the trip. Although the rest of them are doing quite well!
They found the food and water without any help. They all look very healthy. Legs, feathers and eyes look great. No poopy butts either.
They are all full now and they are starting to fall asleep.
Boy, I didn't realize how hard it would be to get a good picture of them!

They are currently in the living room (temporarily) and my two parakeets are falling asleep to all their chirping!
This will be my first time raising chickens - wish me luck!

 

[buttonsamy]

SUPER CUTE!!!!! They are hard to photograph, aren't they?


Just got 6 buff silkies. Wondering about their stripes...some of them have spots and stripes while others do not. What is that about?


Here are 3 of my silkie babies. The guinea keets in the background are VERY curious about these new invaders...


One of the non-striped silkies


5 of the 6 silkie babies. The two on the right have weird dark spots...what is that??

Already in LOVE with my mini-flock! Cannot wait for the rest to arrive! I adore their little wings, they seem impossibly small!
Amy

 

[Prettypuddles]

Very nice!
I have never seen a Silkie in 'real' life. I am planning on going to the fair this summer - they always have a wonderful poultry display. I will check them out!
Are you using a red heat lamp for your chicks? I have the normal white light, but I feel sorry for them at night. I want them to have a good nights sleep.
I found that they are very quiet, but very aware. They move around and explore and they seem to be comfortable with the heat (95 deg). They don't seem to mind at all when I pick them up.
They sleep a lot! Its funny! One will fall asleep, then the rest follow suit. They even fall asleep in their food dish - just like my kids used to!

I never had chicks before so I am 'flying' by the seat of my pants.

 

[starlingdaly]

5 of the 6 silkie babies. The two on the right have weird dark spots...what is that??

I can't tell you *why* they have markings, but it sometimes means there will be some slight color variation in there feathers while they are growing. My buff silkie was similar, but now that she's full grown she is a solid color. I guess you'll see as they grow up!

 

[gardenrock]

I love chicks-hope the stork comes to my chickens soon!

 

[gardenrock]

I wouldn't worry about the spots, since the fuzz dissapears once the feathers come in