The "We received our chicks the week of 2/17, give or take" Club

[wendychicklawyr]

I have a feeling wendy is going to want it! 

Yeah!! How did I miss that one

lol

 

[LemonMeringue]

Yeah!! How did I miss that one

lol

Why? Do you like that kind of rooster? Or just roosters in general?


We had a huge breakthrough today FINALLY, with the Columbian Wyandottes. They both still have a little spot that has feathers coming in on their backs. ((Leftover from when they were younger and we had the picking problem with the White Plymouth Rocks)) We were checking on everyone and making sure all was well before we went in for the night. Most of the pullets were by the feeder, I had just put some more down. I slowly reached out and gently rubbed a little on her back (it has to feel uncomfortable with pin feathers coming in) and was so surprised that she actually fluffed up her neck feathers and kind of hunkered down just a tad bit. No squawking, no running, no struggling!!!! Then my daughter was able to do the same thing with the other one. We were so thrilled to finally be able to put our hands on them and it end in a positive way. They really liked it!

 

[wendychicklawyr]

Why? Do you like that kind of rooster?  Or just roosters in general?


We had a huge breakthrough today FINALLY, with the Columbian Wyandottes.  They both still have a little spot that has feathers coming in on their backs.  ((Leftover from when they were younger and we had the picking problem with the White Plymouth Rocks))  We were checking on everyone and making sure all was well before we went in for the night.  Most of the pullets were by the feeder, I had just put some more down.  I slowly reached out and gently rubbed a little on her back (it has to feel uncomfortable with pin feathers coming in) and was so surprised that she actually fluffed up her neck feathers and kind of hunkered down just a tad bit.  No squawking, no running, no struggling!!!!  Then my daughter was able to do the same thing with the other one.  We were so thrilled to finally be able to put our hands on them and it end in a positive way.  They really liked it!

No I just have almost every breed lol

What was wrong with ur wyandottes?

 

[LemonMeringue]

No I just have almost every breed lol

What was wrong with ur wyandottes?

Those Columbians were just so shy from the start. I would even say skittish. But we have been gently reeling them in. Mealworms help

When I go feed mealworms I just squat down and try not to move. I hand them out in a semi orderly fashion. There are some real pushy, piggies in the group that try to hog them all and jump at my hand to try to steal them. But I always try to toss some to the ones that hang at the back too. I like them all to get some. Then I just chill and try to give a gentle touch on their chest. Most of the breeds we got are absolutely COOL with it. But the Columbian Wyandottes and the Black Laced Polish have been stinkers about being handled. I find that it really is crucial for me to be able to handle my flock. I need to do checks on them for many reasons and I find that if the bird is stressed by thinking that a person touching or picking them up is right up there with the 10th circle of hell.........well, that just makes it unpleasant for all involved. So working on them now while they are young. Maybe the Columbians just take a bit of maturity to settle down and realize that people equals good things. Like food, treats and back rubs

Example: yesterday we checked over a couple of birds that my youngest was "snuggling" and found a wonky weird long toenail on a bantam roo, (had to trim that) and checked him for any parasites. Trimmed another bantams nail. Singular. For some reason that little Ameraucana hen has one toenail that grows faster than she can wear it down. Last year I had a light case of poultry lice that went about and I had to catch every single chicken and put on 4 drops of a neem oil treatment. Twice, 10 days apart. All of the chickens were a dream to catch, except for 3 which did not grow up here with us. So, I guess they must think I am a chicken napper and should be avoided at all cost!

 

[wendychicklawyr]

Those Columbians were just so shy from the start.  I would even say skittish.  But we have been gently reeling them in.  Mealworms help   When I go feed mealworms I just squat down and try not to move.  I hand them out in a semi orderly fashion.  There are some real pushy, piggies in the group that try to hog them all and jump at my hand to try to steal them.  But I always try to toss some to the ones that hang at the back too.  I like them all to get some.  Then I just chill and try to give a gentle touch on their chest.  Most of the breeds we got are absolutely COOL with it.  But the Columbian Wyandottes and the Black Laced Polish have been stinkers about being handled.  I find that it really is crucial for me to be able to handle my flock.  I need to do checks on them for many reasons and I find that if the bird is stressed by thinking that a person touching or picking them up is right up there with the 10th circle of hell.........well, that just makes it unpleasant for all involved.  So working on them now while they are young.  Maybe the Columbians just take a bit of maturity to settle down and realize that people equals good things.  Like food, treats and back rubs

Example: yesterday we checked over a couple of birds that my youngest was "snuggling" and found a wonky weird long toenail on a bantam roo, (had to trim that) and checked him for any parasites.  Trimmed another bantams nail.  Singular.  For some reason that little Ameraucana hen has one toenail that grows faster than she can wear it down.  Last year I had a light case of poultry lice that went about and I had to catch every single chicken and put on 4 drops of a neem oil treatment.  Twice, 10 days apart.  All of the chickens were a dream to catch, except for 3 which did not grow up here with us.  So, I guess they must think I am a chicken napper and should be avoided at all cost!

I agree ..I sit in the coop several times a day and encourage them to sit on me ..treats help lol

 

[Gingersnap722]

My Columbian Wyandottes are very skittish also, so are my Golden Polish. So I sit out there a couple of times a day and try to handle them a little at a time.

 

[LemonMeringue]

So our chicks are over 2 months old now. We have been working HARD on the new chicken house that is for all of our flock, old and new. They will have separate areas though, so no bullying the little girls! I CANNOT wait until the building is at least finished enough to get them in there. Their outdoor play areas will be done after the house. Once we get to a place where we can slow down a bit I am going to post pictures of the building in the coops forum. These little girls are going to enjoy their sand floor indoors and sand/chicken gardens outdoors. I never dreamed that we could build this building completely by ourselves (well, mostly the hubby. I am a helper, fetcher and holder).

 

[Gingersnap722]

Lemon, it's so exciting, isn't it? We've been building our own also, well like you hubby has and I've been the helper too (as well as our daughter). I can't wait until ours are completed either!

 

[Gingersnap722]

My boys and girls are getting so big!

 

[H Diamond]

I wish I had gotten some Brahmas! (assuming that is what your pretty blond one is) It's hard picking the breeds at first, so ya know.. hind sight... but when I "need" to add more, I can get them! How old are yours? Mine will be 12 weeks on Friday! Can't believe how fast they are growing.