Utah!

[Domestic_goddess]

I've got some out there I just put out last night with a heat lamp. They are two weeks old. Did great. In our Nursery coop, so none of the older girls can get to them.

I usually don't put them out this early, but I'm getting to many to keep all in the house at once. I do have a seperate coop for them and they will be in the brooder with the heat lamp on. Thanks

 

[kimmypie]

I have a question. I have 8 chicks (4 are ours, 4 are for our friends) that I got together at the IFA in Salt Lake on a Tuesday 3/6 and they'd had their most recent shipment the previous Saturday. So they are varying ages, but were all fairly young when I got them definitely chicks. I got two more brand new babies on Wednesday 3/14 (so a week and a day after the others) but they arrived the day I picked them up. There is at least a week age gap, probably closer to 2 between the two groups. So can I put the older ones outside when they are ready and then wait a week or so and put the younger ones out or will the olders "forget" the youngers and cause problems? Should I hold off and put them all out at the same time? Our coop and run isn't done yet, but hopefully will be this week.

 

[Cynthia12]

I would do it. Have done it.

They are pretty young, should do fine. Watch them a bit, but I honestly can't see too much pecking order going on then, may be some, but they shouldn't peck real hard at each other, if at all at this age.

 

[Cynthia12]

RedIII-
Yup, thats the one! The chicks I got also had a dark wash to their legs. I dont know if I will be getting any more chicks this season, I need to get the coop done first! But thank you so much for the offer! Totally know what you mean, I need SO much more time! Here's a pic of one of my mystery gals, she's (he?!) is the black one in the middle. We named them all after Beatles songs, and this one is "Lady Madonna" for the time being. You know, for girly parts luck

ahh, a blue cochin, I am hatching cochins' right now! I am wanting a splash really bad, but if not a splash, then a blue...those babies are darling.
That bigger one does look to be a barred rock. I think I can see some white still there fading out on the head...a long white stripe..that would be a girl..looks like a girl already. Going to be very pretty. My barred rock is now laying, and she is a big girl..has a very red face, and is so funny. She chases the doves away when they land in the yard. Oh, and my daughter brought her two little hot dog..dogs..and she knew those weren't ours..she chased the little black one away when it came up to her. This is OUR yard! lol...
New egg here..

chickunder

 

[Cynthia12]

Still on for 11:00 tomorrow Brad? Should be another nice day.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Can you really tell in week one or two by the feathers? How accurate is that? Four of my six have feathers on their wings. The silkie is hard to tell because it's feathers are coming in so drastically different. My braham just has a little on the tips of the wings. So by that I have four ladies one boy and a ???

 

Supposedly it can be seen that early. Lots of people can tell, I am still trying to figure it out haha! It is lots of fun trying anyway! I think the longer you stare and stare the more subtle differences you pick up on. Lots of the breeds the girls feather out faster though, boys slower. Some breeds not. I remember my grandpa used to say that about the australorps and he was right for sure. My neighbor had a BA roo that did that. She knew it was a rooster right after bringing it home from the feed store. The people on here that hatch loads of chicks (ahem...cynthia haha)have a knack for figuring it out really early. Brahmas might feather slower though---ameraucanas do Did you buy your Brahma straight run?

 

[kimmypie]

I would do it. Have done it.

They are pretty young, should do fine. Watch them a bit, but I honestly can't see too much pecking order going on then, may be some, but they shouldn't peck real hard at each other, if at all at this age.

I'm assuming this was answering my post right? I'm just worried because I don't want it to be like I'm introducing new chickens and having a battle like I've read some people on BYC have. When I brought the new chicks in the older ones didn't even bat an eye, no pecking or anything and I was worried because there was a pretty big size difference then. It would be nice to get the 8 out of my basement brooder sooner and just have two down there for a bit. It will be sad when we give the 4 to our neighbors, it will feel like half our chicks are gone! I was tempted to buy an Australorp last week but I didn't give in to temptation. Now I see all the cute chick pics and I think ack, I could have one of each! Our coop is only 4x8 though with no room for expansion (the fence is on one side and the garden on the other) so hopefully I'll be able to stick it out and keep these 6 and when they start slowing down add 2 more.

What do all of you with tons of chickens do with all the eggs? Sell them? We plan on giving our extras away to neighbors in need. Not that eggs are so expensive at the store, but these eggs will be a lot better than store bought. Plus with only 6 hens we probably won't have a ton of extras!

 

[RedIII]

Supposedly it can be seen that early. Lots of people can tell, I am still trying to figure it out haha! It is lots of fun trying anyway! I think the longer you stare and stare the more subtle differences you pick up on. Lots of the breeds the girls feather out faster though, boys slower. Some breeds not. I remember my grandpa used to say that about the australorps and he was right for sure. My neighbor had a BA roo that did that. She knew it was a rooster right after bringing it home from the feed store. The people on here that hatch loads of chicks (ahem...cynthia haha)have a knack for figuring it out really early. Brahmas might feather slower though---ameraucanas do

Did you buy your Brahma straight run?

Yup, that's something I've noticed a lot with the feathering, too. Whatever those little black ones were in that bin, I'm pretty sure they were pullets. I hadn't even considered BR, though. If she does end up being that, you're going to love her, c.u.c. I had a BR up until recently, and she was the sweetest thing. Very tame, curious, and a good layer. Seemed to be a quiet bird most of the time, too. Oh, I hope that's what you got!

kimmypie - Without seeing pictures of your chicks, that's kind of what it sounds like to me. Four girls, a boy, and a ???

 

[Cynthia12]

I only have 5 laying hens right now. Turning my flock over..oh yes, kimmy, was talking to you then and now. My husband does not like eggs! What's up with that?
I do sell extras to a lady down the street. She has a family that loves the eggs, and they use a lot. Only a couple of doz a week usually. I keep a doz..usually two in my fridge. I had to slow down on selling her eggs because I am down one laying hen. I think my NH will be the next to lay. Will see.

I have three babies out from Cowgirl. Guess what color they are Lisa?? You thought I was going to say black didn't you? Well one is black..lol..and the other two are beautiful blues. I can tell already they are going to have that fluffy head. At least one of them. It swirls around it's neck already, and it isn't dried out yet! Now, I have some Cochins pipped..come on Splash Cochin...girl!
Was out looking at my black again, I can't stop staring at that thing. LOL...Beautiful tail, too beautiful.. But, no red what so ever in the comb, or wattles. ??????? It's driving me crazy. I want to know, because I want to keep some babies from these hatches to watch. Guess I could anyway. Sell my least favorite girl if they are all girls. And oh my goodness, you should see one of the Araucanas! It is so stinkin cute! Double tufted, has a tail, but those tufts are getting out there! More so than the other two I am saving for someone that has already bought them. She wanted a double tufted with the bunt tail, have one there for her, and pretty sure it is a girl, but her tufts aren't anything like this ones, and I'm thinking this is a girl. Too funny. Shes' sweet, comes up to the wire every time I go out and lean down to look at them. They've only been outside for a few days, and are doing great. They love the room after being in those bins

Shinx, no web cam for the Hatch Along? They would love it.

 

[RedIII]

What do all of you with tons of chickens do with all the eggs? Sell them? We plan on giving our extras away to neighbors in need. Not that eggs are so expensive at the store, but these eggs will be a lot better than store bought. Plus with only 6 hens we probably won't have a ton of extras!

When I get extras (more than I can use for a while) I just give them to family or whoever needs them. I've seen some ads on KSL where people sell them, though.