Raising Chickens: Baby Chicks to ½ Grown

  • Thread starter Thread starter dlgoff
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SUMMARY

This discussion revolves around the experiences of raising chickens, specifically focusing on the growth and care of baby chicks to their half-grown stage. Participants share insights on chicken behavior, egg-laying mechanics, and the challenges of predator threats, particularly from raccoons. The conversation highlights the importance of proper housing and care, including the construction of a predator-proof pen and the need for ventilation in hot weather. Additionally, humorous anecdotes about chicken personalities and cooking preferences add a light-hearted tone to the topic.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of chicken breeds, specifically Rhode Island Reds and Sussex crosses.
  • Knowledge of chicken behavior and social dynamics within flocks.
  • Familiarity with predator management techniques for backyard poultry.
  • Basic construction skills for building chicken coops and pens.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research effective methods for building predator-proof chicken coops.
  • Learn about the nutritional needs of chickens and optimal feeding practices.
  • Explore the behavioral traits of dominant hens and their impact on flock dynamics.
  • Investigate common predators of backyard chickens and strategies for deterrence.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for backyard chicken enthusiasts, poultry farmers, and anyone interested in sustainable living practices involving animal husbandry.

  • #121
dlgoff said:
I decided to see if Big Boy the rooster is doing his job. So I've temporally turned my daughter's old room into a chicken lab.
Update:

I set 19 eggs in the incubator on Feb 14.

Candled Feb 21 and all looked viable (for these dark eggs you need to wait longer).

I did the second candle two days early Feb 26) due to a developing smell.
Removed 3 undeveloped eggs and 1 with dead embryo (crack in shell hence the smell)

Today March 6: so far 5 of remaining 15 show beginning breakout (one since starting this post).
 
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  • #122
rootX said:
I came here looking for why the chickens cross the road :blushing:.

To show armadillos it CAN be done..
 
  • #123
dlgoff said:
Today March 6: so far 5 of remaining 15 show beginning breakout (one since starting this post).
Awww.
 
  • #124
Ms Music said:
You sure you don't have a prankster in the neighborhood? That is more like the size of an emu egg, not a chicken! And it doesn't appear to have any rings on it to show that it was difficult for her to lay.

Look into records and get that thing weighed!

You should take bets on how many yolks it contains. :)
Heck. That's a normal one yolk egg for Roger. She laid one that measured >18cm around the major axis.
 
  • #125
Rogers first born

Rogers First Born

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  • #126
OMG, she/he looks so silky! Roger is a mother, does that make me a grandmother?
 
  • #127
Evo said:
OMG, she/he looks so silky! Roger is a mother, does that make me a grandmother?
Congratulations grandmother Roger. Now you have 3 more grandchicks.
 
  • #128
Congrats! How are they doing?
 
  • #129
lisab said:
Congrats! How are they doing?
So far so good. There are 3 more breaking out right now. :)
 
  • #130
dlgoff said:
Congratulations grandmother Roger. Now you have 3 more grandchicks.
:!)
 
  • #131
How much fun! New borns are so cute!

So is the giganto egg in the incubator?
 
  • #132
Ms Music said:
So is the giganto egg in the incubator?

Nope. It's in my belly. :biggrin:
 
  • #133
Looks like 8 is the final number. Here they are resting.

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  • #134
Awww, look at the little silky balls of fluff! Will Roger accept them and train them?
 
  • #135
Evo said:
Will Roger accept them and train them?
I doubt it with the rooster around. I'll wait until they are big enough to fend for themselves before integrating.
 
  • #136
dlgoff said:
I doubt it with the rooster around. I'll wait until they are big enough to fend for themselves before integrating.
So, you are officially the mother hen. :biggrin:
 
  • #137
Evo said:
So, you are officially the mother hen. :biggrin:

I am. :approve: Just last night I showed them where the water was be getting a drop on my finger and touching their (the two oldest) bills. Then they all came running up to see my finger going into the water dish. This morning; dish 1/2 full. Oh. And I know chicken talk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_6Ipe4RsUQ
 
  • #138
Just make sure they don't peck you to death. Baby chicks can be brutal.
 
  • #139
Jimmy Snyder said:
Just make sure they don't peck you to death. Baby chicks can be brutal.
For sure. Especially when they grow up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDN0jJB_KP4
 
  • #140
I couldn't resist buying these little guys last week. Cuter than chickens.


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  • #141
What kind of ducks?
 
  • #142
I bought them at Tractor Supply Co and asked but they didn't know.
 
  • #143
What "come hither" eyes. :!)
 
  • #144
If you want to see a wild game of "keep away" toss a grape in with a bunch of chickens. They love watermelon too, preferably sliced not tossed.:-p
 
  • #145
Evo said:
What kind of ducks?

Those be Mallard ducklin's. My mammy used to buy 'em.
 
  • #146
At my brother's place. I think there are a couple of ducks in the coop as well.

They also have 18 sheep and two llamas.
 

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  • #147
Astronuc said:
At my brother's place. I think there are a couple of ducks in the coop as well.

They also have 18 sheep and two llamas.
Nice. They must have more than 5 acres. :)
 
  • #148
One duck for the possum, one duck for the owl, and this one for me.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #149
I heard a description of chickens that made me think of you, Don: Pets with benefits :biggrin:.
 
  • #150
lisab said:
I heard a description of chickens that made me think of you, Don: Pets with benefits :biggrin:.
Since this photo of Duck/Buddy; yea. He follows me like a dog and if I get out of his sight for a minute, he cries like a baby. Damn thing wants to come in the house with me. So far he only nibbles on me when I not moving and working on something outside. Must be his way of showing affection?
 

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