They're here, they're here, they're here!

[bcAddy]

The long awaited chick have arrived! I got the call and rushed right over to the PO to pick up a small peeping box with many holes in it. All four seem to have survived the overnight trip and have found food and three have found water while we have observed them. (been home less than 2 hours). Only one had some feces stuck to some tail fluff but none appear to have pasting up going on. But we'll keep our eyes on them. And they took a short nap when I left them in the dark for a while. I guess we'll leave the overhead lights on during the day to get them used to a day time night time routine and they can nap when they want to. So very excited and just want to hold them all the time but don't want to stress them out too much too. I feel like a brand new daddy.

Just wanted to share the good news.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new babies. Post pictures if you can, we all love babies.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

What breed are they. Sorry if you already said this and I missed it. CONGRATS!!!!!

 

[bcAddy]

Thank you! Sorry I forgot to mention. Winky is a silver laced Wyandotte, Shadow is an Australorp, and we have a Barred Rock and a Dominique, can't tell which is which yet, but one of them is named Isabelle, the other is TBN.

And any one with suggestion about how and when to introduce to the family dogs (one a crazy border collie that loves anything that moves) it would be greatly appreciated. I have a few ideas but always open to more suggestions and wisdom.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

We raised ours in the house. We got a big box and put chicken wire over the top. That way our german shepherd could see, smell, and listen to them. After a few weeks we took them outside (I made a makeshift pen for a while) and he walked right up to them to sniff and from then on no issues ever. The sheltie is short so if he wanted to see he had to hop up

I don't know if some dogs are just flat out better around them or if a gradual introduction will work. The only time I say anything to the dog is when he chases my rooster

it's probably mean, but it's only for a second and he's never tried to eat him.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

Dominiques have rose combs. As a small chicks, it will appear to just be a spike at the back of the comb. Barred rocks will have several spikes spread throughout the comb

i have all 4 of those breeds i love all of them.

 

[bcAddy]

Thanks again. I think the chickens being used to the dogs growing up will help a bunch as they will be less likely to run and freak when they are around, therefore not exciting the dogs as much. But I still don't trust them further then I can throw them.

And we'll keep and eye on those combs as they grow and find out what kind Isabelle really is.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

The sad thing about them not being scared of dogs is that if a stray breaks in, they will wait longer to run. But other than that as long as you have chicken friendly dogs that's great

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Good point. Guess we're lucky. So far we only had one close dog call with a poodle and we free range. (knock on wood) Our chickens seem comfortable with our dogs, but stay away from new dogs.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

Yay! Smart chickens. Mine dont like any dogs...i have 4

i wouldn't trust any of them with my chickens. I guess that my puppy wouldn't hurt them because they are all twice his size almost, but he still chases them around