Raising Chickens: Baby Chicks to ½ Grown

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Discussion Overview

This thread discusses the progress of baby chicks as they grow, sharing experiences and observations related to raising chickens. Participants share pictures, personal anecdotes, and questions about chicken behavior, egg-laying, and care practices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Participants share pictures of their chickens and express affection for them, noting their growth and health.
  • Some participants joke about the purpose of chickens and their culinary potential, with humorous remarks about being hungry.
  • Questions arise regarding the biological reasoning behind chickens laying unfertilized eggs, with some suggesting that constant mating behavior in their natural environment influences this.
  • A participant recounts a personal experience with a friend who raised chickens, highlighting the difference in meat quality compared to store-bought chickens.
  • There is a discussion about the behavior of a dominant hen named Roger, with observations on her interactions with the other chickens and her potential to act like a rooster.
  • Participants express concern for the chickens' safety from predators, discussing plans for a predator-proof enclosure.
  • There are humorous exchanges about the idea of kittens being good guards for baby chicks, referencing past experiences with cats and chickens.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the affection for their chickens and share similar experiences regarding their care. However, there are differing opinions on the biological aspects of egg-laying and the implications of chicken behavior, indicating unresolved questions and varying perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions include anecdotal evidence and personal experiences that may not reflect broader practices or scientific consensus on chicken behavior and care.

dlgoff
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I thought I'd start this thread to keep Evo posted on her chickens progress.

Baby chicks first picture
[PLAIN]https://www.physicsforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33980&d=1301871732

Chickens as of today (>½ grown)
attachment.php?attachmentid=35562&stc=1&d=1305404397.jpg
 

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Rhody's perhaps ?

Rhody... :redface: :biggrin:
 


Aww, thanks Don! Roger is soooo adorable!
 


I came here looking for why the chickens cross the road :blushing:.
 


I hoped for a chick pictures - can't say there were none.
 


How about some chick flicks?
 


What are you going to do with these? Cause I'm kinda hungry...
 


Evo said:
Roger is soooo adorable!

Yea. And she's got that Evo look. :!)
 


pergradus said:
What are you going to do with these? Cause I'm kinda hungry...

308046.jpg


Need I say more?
 
  • #10


rootX said:
I came here looking for why the chickens cross the road :blushing:.
lol.
 
  • #11


They look so cute and healthy!
 
  • #12


Chickens are so funny! I want chickens too! big ones!

though, one thing I don't get is, why do they still lay eggs if the eggs are not fertilised? it doesn't make biological sense!
 
  • #13


nucleargirl said:
though, one thing I don't get is, why do they still lay eggs if the eggs are not fertilised? it doesn't make biological sense!

In their normal environment they are being constantly sexually harassed by cocks, in effect there is no such thing as not fertilized egg. In other words - mechanism that would stop lying eggs would not give them any evolutionary benefits.
 
  • #14


Borek said:
In their normal environment they are being constantly sexually harassed by cocks, in effect there is no such thing as not fertilized egg. In other words - mechanism that would stop lying eggs would not give them any evolutionary benefits.

Not only that, they know what could happen if they don't lay eggs.
 
  • #15


dlgoff said:
Not only that, they know what could happen if they don't lay eggs.

I love chicken and dumplings :!)
 
  • #16


lisab said:
I love chicken and dumplings :!)
Bisquick fluffy cloud dumplings. Not the noodles.

Funny how there are two camps for dumplings. On the TV show, Top Chef, one contestant was to make one of Jimmy Fallon's favorite foods, and one chef got "chicken & dumplings". She made the flat noodle type and he hated it. Jimmy liked the fluffy round dumplings, so the judge told her real dumplings are soft fluffy round puffs, not flat noodle type things, and she almost had to leave the show.
 
  • #17


dlgoff said:
Not only that, they know what could happen if they don't lay eggs.

A "townie" work colleague of mine moved to a house with a big garden, and decided to keep some chickens. Everything went fine, till the egg production started to dwindle and they decided to eat one of them when some friends were visiting.

This was a complete disaster - effectively, raw chicken foir dinner. The guy didn't realize that a chicken that has spent its life running around outside has a lot more muscle and a lot less fat than one bought from a supermarket!
 
  • #18


AlephZero said:
A "townie" work colleague of mine moved to a house with a big garden, and decided to keep some chickens. Everything went fine, till the egg production started to dwindle and they decided to eat one of them when some friends were visiting.

This was a complete disaster - effectively, raw chicken foir dinner. The guy didn't realize that a chicken that has spent its life running around outside has a lot more muscle and a lot less fat than one bought from a supermarket!

Years ago when I still had a lot of "townie" in me, it wasn't a old hen but a old rooster. Live and learn I guess. :redface:

btw It was well cooked but had the consistency of my shoe sole.
 
  • #19


rhody said:
Rhody's perhaps ?

Rhody... :redface: :biggrin:
Yep, they look like a Rhody-Sussex cross..
Our hens were out free ranging, having a great ol' time, kicking up leaves
looking for grubs. A notagoshawk swooped down an ate one of our Rhody's. :frown:
 
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  • #20


Ouabache said:
Yep, they look like a Rhody-Sussex cross..
Our hens were out free ranging, having a great ol' time, kicking up leaves
looking for grubs. A notagoshawk swooped down an ate one of our Rhody's. :frown:

I haven't gotten around to making a predator proof cage outside the coop yet so they haven't experienced the outdoors. This afternoon when I was tending then, I opened the coop door and watched them come to the doors edge an look out but were afraid to come out. However [STRIKE]George[/STRIKE] Roger came, took a look out, put her head over the door jam and got ready to jump out. I said, "Hey". She's smart and changed her mind. Good Chicken.

BTW I covered the floor with wheat straw a few days ago to give them some scratch.
 
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  • #21


Ouabache said:
Yep, they look like a Rhody-Sussex cross..
Our hens were out free ranging, having a great ol' time, kicking up leaves
looking for grubs. A notagoshawk swooped down an ate one of our Rhody's. :frown:
Nooooo! :cry:

dlgoff said:
I haven't gotten around to making a predator proof cage outside the coop yet so they haven't experienced the outdoors. This afternoon when I was tending then, I opened the coop door and watched them come to the doors edge an look out but were afraid to come out. However [STRIKE]George[/STRIKE] Roger came, took a look out, put her head over the door jam and got ready to jump out. I said, "Hey". She's smart and changed her mind. Good Chicken.

BTW I covered the floor with wheat straw a few days ago to give them some scratch.
George is another of my favorite animal names! Protect my baby! Make sure they don't go out in the open where notagoshawks can get them.
 
  • #22


Evo said:
Protect my baby! Make sure they don't go out in the open where notagoshawks can get them.

When I get their outside pen completed, it'll be covered just for that reason. Roger will be in good hands.
 
  • #23


Here's Roger this afternoon.

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And with her friends.

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Now she's showing off.

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  • #24


Nice looking brood, Don :approve:! Did all of them survive their chickhood?
 
  • #25


<Gasp> He's beeutiful! I have the fist male egg laying chicken. :approve:
 
  • #26


lisab said:
Nice looking brood, Don :approve:! Did all of them survive their chickhood?

Thanks. Yep. Six out of six. :smile:
 
  • #27


Evo said:
<Gasp> He's beeutiful! I have the fist male egg laying chicken. :approve:

You sure you want to eat those eggs now? :smile:
 
  • #28


Don,

I ran into this and thought I would post it, kittens make good baby chick guards...

33ohdhx.jpg


Rhody... :devil:
 
  • #29


rhody said:
Don,

I ran into this and thought I would post it, kittens make good baby chick guards...

33ohdhx.jpg


Rhody... :devil:
Awww, but don't let BobG see it, we all know what happened when his chick met the cat...:cry:
 
  • #30


rhody said:
33ohdhx.jpg

:!)
 

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