Updated pics of 6 wk RIR...Pullets?

[EggSighted4Life]

I have a coop ready for when they can go outside I've just been waiting on feathers and weather (its been raining a lot and night time temps are in the low 40's, everything I have been reading is that its optimal for nights to be 50 or above. Unless they are training me for the 'good life' instead of me training them !! )

If they are under a lighted heat lamp and freak out when you turn it off it may be due to the change in light. I use non light emitting ones because I like my chicks to sleep at night. They always pitch a fit when I turn out the regular light. Most animals are creatures of habit and chickens are no different.

If they haven't been out at all.. it's nice to bring a dish of dirt in so they get some exposure to the stuff in the soil before going out full time. Or they can go out, when it's dry for a couple hours during the afternoon. They should be good at your temps. My temps are about the same and that's how I do it year round.

Are they roosting inside at night or still in a pile? What is your house temp? Turn that night time heat off so they can start adjusting. They will gripe and then they will settle down and sleep.

 

[Malynda]

If they are under a lighted heat lamp and freak out when you turn it off it may be due to the change in light. I use non light emitting ones because I like my chicks to sleep at night. They always pitch a fit when I turn out the regular light. Most animals are creatures of habit and chickens are no different.

If they haven't been out at all.. it's nice to bring a dish of dirt in so they get some exposure to the stuff in the soil before going out full time. Or they can go out, when it's dry for a couple hours during the afternoon. They should be good at your temps. My temps are about the same and that's how I do it year round.

Are they roosting inside at night or still in a pile? What is your house temp? Turn that night time heat off so they can start adjusting. They will gripe and then they will settle down and sleep.

HA! I knew they were trying to train me! LOL My house temp runs right at about 70 degrees and they are doing a mixture of both roosting and piling...at night they roost and during the day they pile (my coworker says they are 'special')...They do sleep at night but do get up for the occasional snack. Ive been turning off the heat lamp during the day to get them use to cooler temps but leaving it on at night since its been in the lower 40's at night since I live in an older house that heat is not directly pipped into the kitchen.

I think I will try to get them outside for a bit when its dry this afternoon and see how it goes.

Im definitely learning a lot with this first batch! Yes Im already planning for the next batch of chicks LOL

Thank you for all the advice!!
Malynda

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree with everyone... I think you have pullets

 

[clintbwell]

oh yeah mine have no development like that so must be pullets! have you decided what to do with the roo's?

hey Malynda, are your chicks still looking like pullets, ours are within a day or two of the same age, and here is a picture i took last night of them, they are totally roosters .
my luck picking 4 sraight runs, hoping for 50/50.. they all have bright red waddles and combs.

as for having four roosters and only wanting one, i cant bring myself to butcher them, so i will try to rehome them first, and if that doesnt work, i know someone who will gladly take them for butchering. i just dont think i can do it.

 

[Malynda]

Sorry to taken so long to reply back but life and work has been hectic lately!

Yes, my girls are still looking like girls and have only just started getting redness in their comb are but it still is boney looking as you can see in the picture. Im still unsure of one of them due to the fact that she is showing some rooster behaviors or she just is becoming the dominant one of the group. For now Im calling her Mama Baby because when I tell them its time for bed, she puts them all to bed!! lol

Here is a pic that I just took this morning so you can compare. Sorry you have all roosters!!

Mama Baby is the one in the back on the perch 'monitoring' everyone lol