TWEEN-AGERS!

The baby chicks I purchased during the Chick Days at Family Farm and Home are now "Tween-agers"!  The Three Tweens were ready to be moved out of the large cage and into the other half of my Hen Pen, and once I did that, I placed the newest batch of chicks (1 month old) into the wire cage for a few weeks until they finish feathering out. 

"The Shunning" - -First Introduction between the new pullets and the TWEENAGERS

Baby Chicks are such fun!  I took a few to my sister's house to entertain the kiddies at a birthday party, and the kids just adored them!  Peeps kept popping out of the box and making the children squeal with delight!  It was fun to watch the expressions on their faces!

Look at those faces!

Popping Peeps!

Presenting: "Lady GaGa", my Columbian Pullet!

 

 

A couple weekends ago, the Hubbs and I went for a road trip....I saw an ad for Cuckoo Marans and just had to have a few more.  Well....I bought 4 of the Cuckoos, and one Columbian Wyandotte pullet - and they went into the pen with the Three Tweenagers!  Remember - "Same Size Keeps 'Em Alive" - and they are all doing well together.  They're not ready to go into the pen with the Working Girls.  The Tweens have different nutritional requirements, and are not up to the size standards of the Working Girls yet.   It's been a little difficult having to take care of chicks in pens, cages, and boxes, but chicks grow rapidly, and - - - in a couple more weeks, the younger batch of chicks in the wire pen will be able to join the Tweens!  That will make Coop and Pen care much simpler.

Chicks in Trouble? Check those Butts!

Last week I just could not resist and purchased a SECOND batch of 6 new peeps!  I had gotten 6 chicks about 5 weeks ago and they grew so quickly.  3 of them sold, and I'm keeping the other 3 out of that batch, and plan to sell 2 of this new batch, which will leave me with 7 new layers for this coming fall.  Nothing like counting your chickens, right?

We've been getting many questions from newbees that come to see the Heritage Hen House that hubby has been building.  I'm always happy to help answer questions and give advice on picking out baby chicks to get people started out right with their first flock.  One of the troubles folks need to try to avoid is buying chicks with "Pasty Butt".  It looks just like it sounds - "poo" that builds up on the chick's behind and clogs their vent area.  If they remain plugged they could perish in short order.  Do not purchase chicks that have this issue.  It is caused by stress: too hot, too cold, transporting, and overcrowding can be some of the causes of pasty butt.  If this happens to an otherwise healthy chick once you've had it for a few days, hold it's fanny under running tepid water till the manure loosens, then clean it off and let the chick dry off in it's brooder or box with heat lamp, and keep an eye out for any more problems.  If it persists, medicated feed may help, or add electrolytes to the drinking water.  Feeding a bit of cornmeal mixed in with the feed is something else to try.

Have a great week -
the ChickenWrangler