They Grow So Fast!!

[dixieandthechicks]

So I'm not really sure what I was expecting when we signed up to raise chicks, but holy Toledo they grow and change fast!! It seems like every time I pass the brooder, they have new feathers, or have gotten bigger!!

Can we just talk about how adorable baby tail feathers are??

What milestones should I be watching out for?

 

[qopt]

Definitely watch out for when they’re 2-3+ weeks old. I noticed that the pecking order starts around then, and sometimes the birds will gang up on the one at the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[Klindsey]

Definitely watch out for when they’re 2-3+ weeks old. I noticed that the pecking order starts around then, and sometimes the birds will gang up on the one at the bottom of the pecking order.

What do you do when they gang up on one of the chicks? I am new to all the and have notice that the pecking is beginning.

 

[dixieandthechicks]

What do you do when they gang up on one of the chicks? I am new to all the and have notice that the pecking is beginning.

We had a Barred who at a couple of days old was consistently pecking at the eyes of every Buff in the brooder so we separated him into a separate bruder to try to eliminate the problem. Can you tell if one is more of the ringleader?

 

[Elie And Her Flock]

We had a Barred who at a couple of days old was consistently pecking at the eyes of every Buff in the brooder so we separated him into a separate bruder to try to eliminate the problem. Can you tell if one is more of the ringleader?

generally, some ways to tell are -

• chickens clear out of the way when the ringleader eats
• when presented treats, the ringleader always gets to eat first
• ringleader picks on most or all of the rest of the flock
• other chickens don't pick on the ringleader

hope this helps!