Where do your chicks like to hang out?

[mcjessen]

So...my Buffs are a week old today and are sprouting the cutest little butt feathers. Their personalities are starting to emerge also. We added the Australorp on Sat and she's doing well and has blended right in.

On to my question...all my girls LOVE to hang out on top of their food dish. I have it up on a 2x4 laid on its side as recommended bu several on this board. The girls hop up on top of the food dish to eat and in the process managed to perfect their aim right into the circle openings of their dish. Gross!!! Anybody have any suggestions on how to keep them off the top of the food dish? I have put items (roll of tape, bottle) on top so they don't have any room but it doesn't deter them. Stinkers!

 

[14chickmama]

Do they have a roost? I have 2 roost in my brooder that they climb all over and I put my feeder and waterer up about 4-5 inches off the floor so they can't climb in it. They would spill food everywhere that's why I moved mine up just to there neck so they can reach it. The waterer they would go in all the time. Can't wait till our coops done!!

 

[14chickmama]

Also what type of feeder do u have. I just saw that there only a week old. Mine are 5 weeks old. I have the mason jar feeders and they've never gone in them.

 

[mcjessen]

Yes, they do have a roost that they jump up on. It's a 2x 4 turned on it's side. They love it. Their food is up on a 2x4 laid flat on top of two inches of pine shavings. The one I have just has a solid top and circles on the outer edges. I may need to switch to the mason jar type that you're talking about. May have to put it up higher too. The funny thing is, I have no poop problems with the waterer, just shavings in there and I clean that daily.

BTW, my Buffs are also eyeing the top of the brooder when I take the lid off to clean. They want out! Looks like we may be switching them to a "deeper" brooder toward the end of the week. LOL! Boy, they grow quickly!

 

[14chickmama]

They grow SO fast!! I have a gate on the front of mine and they jump up on the side everytime I open it then sometimes they fall/fly out.

here they are. They love hanging out here!

This is 4 weeks old.

Crazy how fast they grow!!

 

[mcjessen]

Thanks for the age reference. That's neat to see what they'll look like at 4 weeks. LOL! I can't believe how they jump. I think they're part kangaroo. LOL!!!

 

[Nicole01]

On top of the brooder. I let them out several times a day either in the kitchen upstairs or around the brooder. They love exploring.lol