Week three: change is near!

[The chicken wizard]

As patty, honey, and nugget turn 3 weeks old today, I have many new findings, troubles, and questions along rearing my little orpingtons.
Firstly, they are almost full feathered and are old enough to explore.They've gotten to a point where they love foraging and looking for tasty worms!

Somthing I was wondering had to do with water. You see, a few days ago patty had a dried chunk of poo on her foot that she couldn't get off, so I dipped her feet in shallow dish of warm water. The poo came off, and patty seemed to enjoy the water. Do you know how old chicks must be before they can swim? I know that adults like taking a dip in hot weather, but I dont want them to not be able to shake the water off of their fuzz.

Also, as you see in the photo, their flight feathers are developed and they are able to roost on the lip of the brooder bin now, resulting in them roaming around my room during the day; you dont want to know how much poo I clean up when I get home!

This photo was taken at 12:00 am. The chicks had flown out of their brooder and woken me up!
I have also picked up on some new vocalizations; they've been making rattling-chirping noises that sounsolike eagle chirps. I believe it's used to express happiness!

I will keep you all posted next week; they should be much bigger by then!

As always, your fellow motherclucker,
TheChickenWizard

 

[Chickens4Life101]

Oh they are so cute! We also have a buff orpington named Honey. They all seem to be very healthy and quick to develop! Unfortunately, I don't know when chicks can swim. I think you may want to give them a little bit more time to grow their feathers though.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens don't swim (generally) - they can float for a bit and then they sink.

A shallow pan of water such as a foot bath can be good on a hot summer's day. But don't use anything so deep that they can't easily get in and out by themselves.