[The Shire] Our growing flock!

[newchickychick]

Just changed out everyone's waterers, made sure food was topped up/clean of poop, got laid down and relaxed... LOUD SHRILL PEEPS. One of the other chicks in the brooder with the Turkens got knocked into or stepped on. The poor babies do not realize their size, and are absolutely NOT willing to be separated from the rest of their flock. The flock too started going into a tizzy when we tried separating them since they were big and clumsy, not to their own fault. Poor things! Once the littlest ones of the batch are old enough to go outside (definitely not time yet - a little too young for all this chilly rain we've had, but at least the coop's nearly done - I can't wait to show pictures when it is) I'm sure the vast space will keep any stepping mishaps to a minimum. It is so nice, though, to see there's been no bullying. The Wyandottes love to perch with the Polish, and there's a few of our Americanas/Prarie Bluebell Eggers that love to sleep on the Turken or curl up with Brutus (previous bully Polish).

I'm hoping, praying that with a huge run and a large coop (we do plan on a secondary one very soon after we finish the first inside the run so chickens can pick/choose who to roost with/where to roost and to have AMPLE ample space) that everyone will continue to get along well as they grow up. I'm hoping none of the roos are utter terrors when they grow up, as we'd love to keep most of this batch (as so far, everyone's a peach), so we can have a bachelor flock for the ones that aren't gentlemen for the ladies. Time will tell.

So far still so good with the Bantams too, knocking on wood. Genuinely thought we'd lose every single one of them when they got out of the box this morning. I'm setting my alarm to wake me up every hour just in case I sleep too long through the night. I made sure everyone drank though and made sure there was nutridrench in their fresh water so if for any reason I don't wake up through the night, there's something with an extra kick for them if I sleep. I'll swap it out for regular water in the morning. If the new chickies do get here tomorrow (still showing as pre-shipment, argh!) then I'll be sure to give them each a drop of the nutridrench or poultry cell, and have fresh water for everyone during the day then do another round of nutridrench at night. Or something. They're just so small! And cute. And small!

That ended up longer than I intended it to be, but many cautiously optimistic chickie thoughts tonight. I'm just loving spending time with them. Going to wake up the big chickies tomorrow with some scrambled eggs. It's been so rainy lately and I'm hoping it'll perk them up. Gonna get a huge plod of grass and dirt for them to peck around at too to entertain them. The big coop and run can't be done soon enough. It'll be so exciting to see them all run around in it for the first time.

 

[newchickychick]

I fell asleep at like 2 am for the night until 5:30. Ran into the garage in a panic. ALL Bantam babies are doing great! One was actively dying yesterday and I don’t know HOW I saved it (crop massage, the poultry cell, etc) but ugh. I could cry I’m so happy all 20 are kicking! They’re all LIVELY too this morning. Amazing what vitamins and TLC will do.

Nervously picking up 15 more Bantam babies this morning (Cackle Bantam surprise assortment!), but kiddo is officially out of school now so if anything goes sideways I won’t have to be juggling taking him anywhere with helping the babies out. Then our next order is hatching the 4th for 5 silkies and 10 more rare breeds assortment. And final order of the year will be 10 more Top Hats and 10 rares from Cackle again. Their communication has been stellar and man, I just love watching our Polish, and the assortment was just SO nice!

Gadget continues to be a little love bug. She’s so cute! She runs over every morning and cuddles against my hand, but also plays super well with the others and isn’t so dependent that I can leave without her fussing. Best of both worlds! The Polish too are a little skittish but love coming to say hi and get gentle pets. Brutus (Gold Laced) and Toblerone (the Tolbunt) more observe from afar but they’re so good with watching over the other chicks that I’m just as ecstatic for that. Tail feathers REALLY starting to come in now! They’re a little over 4 weeks now. Crunch time on coop build!

Outside chickies are still doing good. There’s one barred rock in particular, a cockerel, that always hops on my back if I lean over when checking on them and just likes sitting back there. Hubby says he doesn’t try to get up towards my face, but seems to like watching the flock from the high vantage point. Hubby has a coworker that needs a roo still so we will probably give him our sweet Olive egger cockerel (assuming he stays sweet).

 

[newchickychick]

So I didn't even pay attention to what sorts of colors/etc I got. From the get-go I could tell one is probably a goner. However ALL the others were tremendously healthy. Took to eating/drinking RIGHT away, no wobbling from them. This one was smaller than the rest (porcelain d'uccle I think) even with Bantam size, and COVERED in poop from the trip. Poor thing. It wasn't moving when I got to it but was barely breathing/would just flop in my hand. I was able to make it get some poultry cell down, and chipped away at the pasty butt. I got the vent clear enough for it to poop and put a little vaseline on as it was irritated by the time I got it clear enough to be able to poop. Made it get some warm water down too. I don't think this one'll make it, but it went from 'this chick is about to die' to unsteadily walking, eyes open, chirping. So, I can at least know if it doesn't make it, that I gave it a little longer and comfort. :[ Really pulling for the little guy as the other two d'uccles from yesterday are doing so so good but ugh. Heart-wrenching!

DEFINITELY satisfied with how healthy the others though. In comparison to yesterday, I'm absolutely blown away!

 

[thistlewick]

I honestly haven't heard the best from Cackle - mostly horror stories.

I try to check where hatcheries are located so they can ship to me overnight - I'm in NC (you can add your location in your profile, which then shows on the bar on the left (on desktop) which is really helpful for advice). Anything about 2-3 states away is okay.

That's probably the issue people are dealing with most hatcheries tbh - the horror stories are probably chicks shipped across the country.

So what's your set up? You have about 50 chicks right now?

I'm on 24 acres so we have a similar thing going on - I free range my chooks all day long (gotta let them out soon!) to help with predator pressure from crepusculars, I don't let them out at dawn. I wait at least 2 hours. I have *always* done this, so they are lazy and dawdle and sleep in They aren't even waiting at the door for me ready to bust out -- only when I go out and sing my little good morning to them do they THEN come to the door. It's pretty cute!

At night, we are always there to close the door - we have a walk-in shed that we converted. So for us, we only need to worry about square footage for night time, our run is open to the shed, it's all secure - and there are roosts in the run (which a lot of them use to sleep on) so we have 280sq feet to work with for nighttime, divided by 4, 70 chickens. I have currently 15 adults, 17 teens, 6 youngins and 11 chicks = 47 (we will likely sell some of the chicks)


Is that kinda what you're doing? Just curious bc starting with ~50 chickens is wow!

And I know you said you did your due diligence before getting started, but so did I, and I still was wrong and made mistakes and had to change things as my first flock grew up and I realized I made mistakes.

So I'm just curious how much space you have that's where most people kinda go oopsie - also, forgive my bluntness - I'm AuDHD so it's not an excuse, it's just.. me


I have a flock thread too if you're interested to see

 

[newchickychick]

I honestly haven't heard the best from Cackle - mostly horror stories.

I try to check where hatcheries are located so they can ship to me overnight - I'm in NC (you can add your location in your profile, which then shows on the bar on the left (on desktop) which is really helpful for advice). Anything about 2-3 states away is okay.

That's probably the issue people are dealing with most hatcheries tbh - the horror stories are probably chicks shipped across the country.

So what's your set up? You have about 50 chicks right now?

I'm on 24 acres so we have a similar thing going on - I free range my chooks all day long (gotta let them out soon!) to help with predator pressure from crepusculars, I don't let them out at dawn. I wait at least 2 hours. I have *always* done this, so they are lazy and dawdle and sleep in They aren't even waiting at the door for me ready to bust out -- only when I go out and sing my little good morning to them do they THEN come to the door. It's pretty cute!

At night, we are always there to close the door - we have a walk-in shed that we converted. So for us, we only need to worry about square footage for night time, our run is open to the shed, it's all secure - and there are roosts in the run (which a lot of them use to sleep on) so we have 280sq feet to work with for nighttime, divided by 4, 70 chickens. I have currently 15 adults, 17 teens, 6 youngins and 11 chicks = 47 (we will likely sell some of the chicks)


Is that kinda what you're doing? Just curious bc starting with ~50 chickens is wow!

And I know you said you did your due diligence before getting started, but so did I, and I still was wrong and made mistakes and had to change things as my first flock grew up and I realized I made mistakes.

So I'm just curious how much space you have that's where most people kinda go oopsie - also, forgive my bluntness - I'm AuDHD so it's not an excuse, it's just.. me


I have a flock thread too if you're interested to see

AuDHD here too! I so get it. I’m in VA!

We’re on 29 acres. Our current coop that’s almost done is 500 square feet and the fully enclosed run will be… I forget the exact measurements but nearly 3 times that. the chicken math is also accounting for roos we won’t be keeping due to them not being very good roosters. We’re going to be incredibly selective. Good roos will go to the bachelor flock we’re building next/soon, but GREAT roos will get to stay with the hens (accounting for 15 hens at least per roo).

We don’t PLAN to free range as we’ve got bears, foxes, raccoons, hawks, falcons, etc. but if the chickens are like WOAH WE NEED MORE SPACE BUB, we definitely can easily expand it or add another coop/run. Budget is not an issue whatsoever for us in any modicum, so that definitely makes it so much easier.

I am definitely keeping an eye out on behaviors though. If my chickens aren’t happy and healthy, I know I’ve messed up and will absolutely fix it. I think I’ve nearly erred on the side of “safe” but if not, we’re able to drop everything and get a big shed delivered stat and turn that into another coop, etc.!

 

[newchickychick]

I honestly haven't heard the best from Cackle - mostly horror stories.

I try to check where hatcheries are located so they can ship to me overnight - I'm in NC (you can add your location in your profile, which then shows on the bar on the left (on desktop) which is really helpful for advice). Anything about 2-3 states away is okay.

That's probably the issue people are dealing with most hatcheries tbh - the horror stories are probably chicks shipped across the country.

So what's your set up? You have about 50 chicks right now?

I'm on 24 acres so we have a similar thing going on - I free range my chooks all day long (gotta let them out soon!) to help with predator pressure from crepusculars, I don't let them out at dawn. I wait at least 2 hours. I have *always* done this, so they are lazy and dawdle and sleep in They aren't even waiting at the door for me ready to bust out -- only when I go out and sing my little good morning to them do they THEN come to the door. It's pretty cute!

At night, we are always there to close the door - we have a walk-in shed that we converted. So for us, we only need to worry about square footage for night time, our run is open to the shed, it's all secure - and there are roosts in the run (which a lot of them use to sleep on) so we have 280sq feet to work with for nighttime, divided by 4, 70 chickens. I have currently 15 adults, 17 teens, 6 youngins and 11 chicks = 47 (we will likely sell some of the chicks)


Is that kinda what you're doing? Just curious bc starting with ~50 chickens is wow!

And I know you said you did your due diligence before getting started, but so did I, and I still was wrong and made mistakes and had to change things as my first flock grew up and I realized I made mistakes.

So I'm just curious how much space you have that's where most people kinda go oopsie - also, forgive my bluntness - I'm AuDHD so it's not an excuse, it's just.. me


I have a flock thread too if you're interested to see

Also love that you sing good morning songs to yours too! I hear them do happy little clucks when I approach. When hubby lets them out, they give little confused/alarm clucks at first. I told him he’s got to learn the good morning song.

But yeah, VA here! Honestly not sure how close that is to Cackle but it must be pretty close. Our chicks from them grew fast and this order and that one arrived healthy!

Standards we’re at about 60, Bantams now 47? With 5 final silkies on the way.
But we will not be keeping 10 of our first batch. 1 will go to a coworker of hubby and the rest have all been little jerks (fair enough, they’re still growing cockerels!) but that way there will be slightly older hens only to teach the roos we may keep some manners, hopefully.

 

[newchickychick]

Oh duh. Also forgot to mention we’ve already laid out a 20 x 15 coop for the Bantams. They won’t be squished in with the standards!

 

[thistlewick]

So 1500 square foot run?! I cannot wait to see that! Is it open air? I'm seriously curious to see all this when you can show pics.

I'm in central NC, farmland - absolutely rural BFE. I've caught raccoons and coyote and foxes on my cameras (a fox just last week). But they don't bother the chicken coop and never have. We placed it OUT in the pasture. They cannot skim by any safe lines of hedgerow or trees to sneak to it, they'd have to cross big open areas to get to it and I'm convinced this *helps* with their ignoring of it.

I don't know why they aren't interested in it, but they aren't.

Daytime worries are just hawks -- and we have had attacks, and losses. But the free ranging is just too good.

Most people actually lose their flocks to dogs, statistically.

 

[newchickychick]

So 1500 square foot run?! I cannot wait to see that! Is it open air? I'm seriously curious to see all this when you can show pics.

I'm in central NC, farmland - absolutely rural BFE. I've caught raccoons and coyote and foxes on my cameras (a fox just last week). But they don't bother the chicken coop and never have. We placed it OUT in the pasture. They cannot skim by any safe lines of hedgerow or trees to sneak to it, they'd have to cross big open areas to get to it and I'm convinced this *helps* with their ignoring of it.

I don't know why they aren't interested in it, but they aren't.

Daytime worries are just hawks -- and we have had attacks, and losses. But the free ranging is just too good.

Most people actually lose their flocks to dogs, statistically.

Yes! Thank you! I’m REALLY REALLY excited to show pics when it’s all done. I really need to read up on great run clutter though. I want them to be big on enrichment!

Yes, we would LOVE to get there eventually, but I also worry they’d wander too far. It’s a good 7-8 minute walk, but the road by our driveway is 55 miles an hour and oof. Scary stuff! But so many woods and hills too. Our house is on one of the main flat areas. I actually had a health scare that lasted a good 4 years that I’m recovering from still. Even when I got down to 120, I could hardly walk. (Gaining weight helped tremendously but it wasn’t a fix sadly) SO them being close as possible is really helpful in case I have sudden blood pressure tanks and can’t do much.

This was pre-building! Is really a lot longer than it looks here, and we cleared back into the woods some! The shed will be our food and bedding and medicine storage!

 

[newchickychick]

We do however plan to have a roof on the run just to be extra safe. They’re mostly to be kept as pets as well as the bonus of eggs, and I’m a bit of a paranoid hover parent with these babies so far. I know well that even the best laid plans can go terribly wrong out of nowhere, but I would feel awful if one got attacked from the sky. Plus our winters can be super snowy! So we plan to have half just hardware cloth, half with a good roof to protect from rain/snow!