fuzzi's "Gardens and Chickens...and Goats? Oh My!" Journal and More Thread

[farmerjan]

So get the chicks, let her raise them to when they don't need her... you get tired of them/whatever....sell them... Might break even or make a few bucks... most people get tired of the heat/brooding stage... fun for a week or 2, then just messy and a pain... I'd rather get young birds after the heat lamp stage... Keeps the broody instinct going... or else, pull the eggs and reset her... most will do a second time if they are in good body shape...
But sticking 4-6 chicks under her to raise then resell... get sex link pullet chicks... someone needs a few laying hens down the road... They are bringing 15-25 each at 16-20 weeks....

 

[Finnie]

So get the chicks, let her raise them to when they don't need her... you get tired of them/whatever....sell them... Might break even or make a few bucks... most people get tired of the heat/brooding stage... fun for a week or 2, then just messy and a pain... I'd rather get young birds after the heat lamp stage... Keeps the broody instinct going... or else, pull the eggs and reset her... most will do a second time if they are in good body shape...
But sticking 4-6 chicks under her to raise then resell... get sex link pullet chicks... someone needs a few laying hens down the road... They are bringing 15-25 each at 16-20 weeks....

X2!

 

[fuzzi]

Well, an interesting evening...

Naomi was back setting on the last two eggs. I drove to TSC and was going to get her two chicks, since all they had were standards. Nope. Minimum purchase was 6.


There was NO WAY Naomi could cover 6 standard 3 day old chicks. The staff called another TSC store, about 25 miles away, and they had bantams! So off I went.

Choices were assorted chipmunk bantams or Silkies.


I don't want Silkies.

I picked out six chipmunk types, paid the cashier and drove home. They continued to be noisy on the way home, so after arriving I took them inside and gave them water.

Some were more interested in pecking at each other but eventually they all got some water, and out to the coop I went.

Naomi seemed a little startled when I removed the two eggs, and started sliding chicks under her. She gave a couple of them a little peck, and then they went under her instead of milling around. The last one she gave a little peck, then pushed it under.

You deserve them, Naomi.

 

[fuzzi]

I didn't see the chicks this morning, but Naomi's vocals have changed, no longer making "Go away" noises, but making softer sounds, contentment?

I put 8 eggs in my incubator last night.

Maybe the chick noises in the back coop will activate broodiness in one of the other hens.

 

[Baymule]

I’m so glad you gave Naomi some babies. Yes, she deserves it.

 

[fuzzi]

Naomi doesn't want the chicks to leave the nest to explore. Two were out in the brooder when I went outside again. I introduced them to the waterer, they drank, and ate crumbles, but got pecked by Naomi before they went back underneath her.

Drama.

 

[Mini Horses]

Give her a day.....new moms need to adjust. Patience.

She'll get out to drink, eat & relieve herself. Chicks will follow & be allowed. You're not mother nature

 

[fuzzi]

Give her a day.....new moms need to adjust. Patience.

She'll get out to drink, eat & relieve herself. Chicks will follow & be allowed. You're not mother nature

I know, I know.

I remember finding a limp chick with a peck hole in its head, thinking it was dead. I did have to intervene that time.

Here he is, now.

 

[SageHill]

I love following this one - I've never hatched out chicks.

 

[farmerjan]

I am glad that you got her some chicks... and good that you got bantams since you did not want standards..
The "chipmunk chicks" are the typical for a black breasted red color pattern... they will be something like black breasted red old english or american games or light or dark brown leghorn chicks... are their legs real yellow or slate-ish gray? Yellow would be more like leghorn coloring... and could be something else but that chipmunk is the typical color pattern of the black red color pattern.