Utah!

[eggsbert]

Its hard to tell. One thing I did notice was they were a bit warmer than the others every time I handled them and more social. As for comb, I had a Jersey Giant and cochin that was so red and big at about 4 weeks, they also had the biggest feet compared to the others but ended up hens. With the three ive had in the last year they were all different with comb, feathering and size, the only thing that was the same was that heat they put off and friendliness.

Now that you mention it, my tiny chick (who is almost definitely a roo) is very warm when he settles on me. I'll have to test that on my Ameraucanas to see if it holds true with them. If it does I may just have to hold all my chicks again to see who's warm.

 

[lizardandchicks]

hm, that is an interesting way of testing for roos. You will have to let us know how that goes. If it proves to be true, that will be very helpful.

 

[newmarch2014]

I had taken the puppy (5 months old) with me to look at the chicks since he wasn't allowed to be home alone.
He wasn't being unruly or anything, just wandering around pulling lightly on the leash trying to look around. The employee wanted him to lay down and told him to do so. When he didn't, the employee physically pushed him to the ground and rose their voice when he would try to stand. I tried to explain that he knew the down command but only with a hand signal (he is terrible at verbal cues) but that didn't get us anywhere.
I had to call him away from the employee so I could pick him up and put him in the cart. He was so confused as to why he was being punished, he didn't know what he had done wrong.
Then I got him some frozen yogurt and he was happy again.

Anyway, lesson learned. I haven't brought any of our dogs in since.

Just because they work at a feed store does not give them free reign to try to train a dog on the spot. I tell them "she is not a social dog so just ignore her she is just getting some family time". A nice way of saying "back away from my dog loser."

 

[eggsbert]

hm, that is an interesting way of testing for roos. You will have to let us know how that goes. If it proves to be true, that will be very helpful.

Hm, we need a larger test group and I'll need to test my own chicks a few more times.
When I went to test the Ameraucanas this was what I noted: when I pick up a chick in each hand and hold them by the body there was no heat difference. When I picked up each chick individually, the male's feet were much warmer. His rear was also warmer. The females had cold feet and warm bodies but not as warm as the male. Not sure if the male was hunkered down getting warm prior so I'd like to test it again in the morning.

Just because they work at a feed store does not give them free reign to try to train a dog on the spot. I tell them "she is not a social dog so just ignore her she is just getting some family time". A nice way of saying "back away from my dog loser."

Since he's leash reactive towards dogs and quick objects (curse you herding instinct!) we'll be muzzling him when he's out from now on. We're still training him to like the muzzle and not smoosh his nose out the top hole like a tard.
A muzzle instantly solves the problem. No one will come near him, ever. Even if he is super friendly.

 

[newmarch2014]

Hm, we need a larger test group and I'll need to test my own chicks a few more times.
When I went to test the Ameraucanas this was what I noted: when I pick up a chick in each hand and hold them by the body there was no heat difference. When I picked up each chick individually, the male's feet were much warmer. His rear was also warmer. The females had cold feet and warm bodies but not as warm as the male. Not sure if the male was hunkered down getting warm prior so I'd like to test it again in the morning.



Since he's leash reactive towards dogs and quick objects (curse you herding instinct!) we'll be muzzling him when he's out from now on. We're still training him to like the muzzle and not smoosh his nose out the top hole like a tard.
A muzzle instantly solves the problem. No one will come near him, ever. Even if he is super friendly.

All of mine are 1/2 Heeler with some combination of another herder making up the other 1/2....2 are not social dogs, one loves everyone...go figure.

 

[eggsbert]

All of mine are 1/2 Heeler with some combination of another herder making up the other 1/2....2 are not social dogs, one loves everyone...go figure.

These dogs! What are we going to do with them... Yeah, our boy is an odd mixture of "I'll F you up!' and 'I want to take you home with me'.
Adults, teenagers, and gentle children are all on the "you're my new best friend" group and dogs and rowdy strangers are in the "get over here and I'll mess you up" category.

 

[lizardandchicks]

that should be great then

bitsy if it was me i would use pine shavings as its dryer and does not muck up as much as straw and then till that up. i know some use sweet dpz or whatever its called but i have never done it. if you have some wood ash that might help too

How long should I leave her there in the kennel? I put her in today. So far so good.

 

[the-bird-man]

How long should I leave her there in the kennel? I put her in today. So far so good.

i think it depends on the bird. i only let mine out when it was clear she was not broody anymore

 

[rcstanley]

How long should I leave her there in the kennel? I put her in today. So far so good.

I use a wire dog kennel over a wire grate to break broodies. My bantam cochin will break after about 3 days and nights in the broody bin. My silkie takes about a week.

To tell if a hen is still broody, I let the her out with the other chickens when they are out having "yard time". If she tries to go into the egg box, back to the broody bin. If she acts like regular chicken, she can go back in the run, but I keep an eye on her. If I catch her in the egg box, back to the broody bin. I also listen, if the hen is "ticking" (vocalizing every few minutes) when she is out in the yard, she is still broody.

 

[Cynthia12]