University Chick Flock

[TheBigWRanch]

I would be careful about using newspaper so soon, it can be slippery and cause spraddle leg. I put paper towels over mine for a week. They're really cute, have fun!

 

[Foghorn]

They look great! Tons of room! I'm sure they will get wonderful care. Keeps us posted!

 

[bigzio]

Kate, glad to hear everyone arrived safe. Yep, I think you're right they grow like weeds and one can spend hours watching the comedy show.

bigzio

 

[peckhamchick]

Thanks for the advice about the newspaper. I haven't seen anyone take a dive yet (except for when they crash into each other), but I'll watch them today to see if they seem to be slipping. I think we wanted to avoid any materials that they might be interested in eating. Don't know if they'd be likely to peck at paper toweling?

 

[bayouchica]

Hello may I suggest the drawer liners they look like this:

They work real good for me, easy clean up & reuseable! I do put newspaper underneath.You can get those at Wal-mart, Fred's etc.



BTW cute babies you got there !!!!!
Miriam

 

[peckhamchick]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the info about slippery surfaces. I checked-in with my faculty advisor, and he's been keeping very close watch over the peepers. None has shown and signs of having difficulty, so we haven't had to change our set-up. Interestingly, he says that most of the time, that type of problem is genetically linked. Have you heard that, too?

The chicks are doing great, and the broilers especially are growing like weeds! I hope to track their growth rates for the next few weeks at least. A few of our layers had some fecal obstructions on the outside of their vents, but we cleaned them off and they're good as new.

 

[TheBigWRanch]

Quote:
No, I had never heard of a genetic link, but you learn something new everyday. I think spraddle leg is one of those things where everything looks fine, until..... Then you wished you had done more.
That is what is known as pasty butt, I check every single one of my chicks everyday for at least a week after getting them. Sometimes you won't even notice it unless you pick them up and look.
Where did you get your chicks from, and how many did you get? I'm glad you went with Delawares! I love them.

 

[peckhamchick]

Well, it has been a big week at Peckham Farm, big in the sense that our chicks are giants! I can't believe how much they have grown, and how much their adult feathers and markings are developing. The average weight of the broilers on Tuesday (161.5 g) was already more than double the average weight of even the largest layers (Aruconas, 75 g).

I have been awarded the title Poulty Manager, which means so much to me. Now I have an excuse for spending so much time with the little peepers! I plan to analyze the different timings and percentages of weight gains between the broilers and the 5 different breeds of layers. Later on I will do an egg study relating size and timing of ovulation. Students from the Animal Management Techniques class have been doing a great job helping out with feeding and watering, and the undergraduate teaching assistants have also been doing a lot of great work.

One of our Rhody Reds was moved-in with the broilers the other day because the other layers were picking on her and getting a little too rough. It was nice to see her snuggling with the broilers today- they get along just great. We will make some roomate adjustments as they get closer to their market date and the layers get closer to ovulation. The broilers have been upgraded to much larger hanging feeders and really big gravity-fed waterers. The new gear seems to suit them well. Also, I have been thinking about adding a perch or two- something still fairly low to the ground. They seem to like to jump on and off of one of their little house-shaped feeders. Any ideas?

By the way, I'm pretty sure the cutest thing in the whole world is a chick running around with a piece of newspaper in her beak and playing "keep away" from the other chicks chirping around chasing after her!

 

[peckhamchick]

By the way, I meant to respond to your posting earlier.

We have 24 Plymouth Rock/Cornish Crosses (broilers), 3 Blue Andalusians (silver-colored), 9 Delawares (yellow), 4 Aruconas (they look like quail!), 6 Barred Rocks (mostly black, but not for long), and 6 Rhode Island Reds. We got them from McMurray, and they're all in really good shape. So cute! And don'tcha' just love when they stand up and stretch one wing and leg!?

 

[bigzio]

Kate, glad to hear everything is going good. Broilers really don't need a perch, however the other one's would love to have one. The broilers will use one if close to the ground, but shortly they will be too fat to get off the ground.

I don't know how long you are planning to continue with the layers. They won't have their true colors till after the first moult, it's amazing how much change there can be.
Good Luck.....

bigzio