Today on one of my visits to check the chicks I found something really awful.
One of the chicks - the smallest one of the batch - had died.
She had no marks on her, she wasn't malnourished, so I'm not quite sure WHY she died.
From seeing the chicks when they were just hatched to seeing this little bundle of white feathers lying so unusually still.
There's nothing else to say really.
So sad.
Showing posts with label chicks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chicks. Show all posts
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Chicks move into their new home!
I thought it about time the chicks went outside and started to realise what the big, bad world is all about, so I put them out in their new coop, with their little run.
Now the run isn't as big as I would have liked, but it's enough for the little chicks to scratch around, and for mum to get some fresh air.
We have 3 types of chick. Their father is the same - Rhydian, but their mothers vary. Two brown eggs hatched, then two of the white Silky eggs hatched.
From the brown eggs came the brown chick with the striking markings it's a typical brown Isa I think, with tan legs and skin and brown feathers.
From the other brown egg came the white chick. This chick has the same type of feathers like the brown Isas except they are white, but has black skin like the other Silkies.
The youngest two are definitely Silkies - typical scruffy feathers, big black eyes and black skin.
While I was taking photos, mum wanted to get in on the fun too!
Queenie is looking a little tired and bedraggled, but hopefully once they are all integrated she will fluff back up!
Now the run isn't as big as I would have liked, but it's enough for the little chicks to scratch around, and for mum to get some fresh air.
We have 3 types of chick. Their father is the same - Rhydian, but their mothers vary. Two brown eggs hatched, then two of the white Silky eggs hatched.
From the brown eggs came the brown chick with the striking markings it's a typical brown Isa I think, with tan legs and skin and brown feathers.
From the other brown egg came the white chick. This chick has the same type of feathers like the brown Isas except they are white, but has black skin like the other Silkies.
The youngest two are definitely Silkies - typical scruffy feathers, big black eyes and black skin.
While I was taking photos, mum wanted to get in on the fun too!
Queenie is looking a little tired and bedraggled, but hopefully once they are all integrated she will fluff back up!
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Chicks get new home.
Well, I decided in the last few days that I ought to make some kind of dwelling for the chicks and Queenie, so they can get used to being outside and running about in the grass.It won't have a massive run, but should give them a little sense of adventure, while also letting the other ladies and Rhydian get used to them.
The coop isn't finished - I felted the roof today but haven't started felting the outside walls yet. I also started on their run - hopefully tomorrow I shall be able to felt some more and finish the run.
The run is approx 3' x 3' and is 17" high. There is no bottom to the run, as I'm making it for day release only, and they will be securely locked up in the little coop at night.
I must admit, I was quite pleased with it, my favourite bit being the little door that flaps down to reveal a little ladder board for the chicks to get back inside.
Usually when I make things, I make them so they do the job at hand - I'm not particularly great at finishing off, but this time I thought I'd spend a little extra time making sure this coop would last and look nice (must be my age!). I love the pitched roof, as the half that comes off is now hinged to the coop by means of being stuck to the felt - it won't be lifted up that often, so I'm happy with that.
Hopefully the chicks and Queenie will like it - it's not to last them forever - just until they are bigger and are more integrated with the flock.
I will post once it's finished and in place.
The coop isn't finished - I felted the roof today but haven't started felting the outside walls yet. I also started on their run - hopefully tomorrow I shall be able to felt some more and finish the run.
The run is approx 3' x 3' and is 17" high. There is no bottom to the run, as I'm making it for day release only, and they will be securely locked up in the little coop at night.
I must admit, I was quite pleased with it, my favourite bit being the little door that flaps down to reveal a little ladder board for the chicks to get back inside.
Usually when I make things, I make them so they do the job at hand - I'm not particularly great at finishing off, but this time I thought I'd spend a little extra time making sure this coop would last and look nice (must be my age!). I love the pitched roof, as the half that comes off is now hinged to the coop by means of being stuck to the felt - it won't be lifted up that often, so I'm happy with that.
Hopefully the chicks and Queenie will like it - it's not to last them forever - just until they are bigger and are more integrated with the flock.
I will post once it's finished and in place.
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Chicks take over the coop!
It's true - mother hen Queenie is no longer queen of the roost.
The four chicks have been seen trampling all over mum, even to the point she has one sitting on her back!
The above chick could be called Stella after Jo's mum, but we a little undecided whether to call the white one Stella instead. One thing is for sure, her feathers and the the little black stripe on her head are beautiful and hopefully she'll keep some of that detail later on in life.
The older chicks are growing their feathers very nicely, but with the smaller two looking quite tatty, as their feathers aren't growing as nicely as the others - is this a problem - I have no idea. Maybe they'll grow normally in a while, but I don't know - hopefully they will.
I replaced the floor in the old coop and made sure all the holes were covered in the door and back wall. Hopefully it's a lot warmer and safer now! At least they have a nice little area to run around in.
Queenie has been teaching the chicks to scratch recently, so every time I go in to check the water cups, I have to clean the bedding straw and sawdust out.
I have picked them up a few times now, and I like holding the coffee lid of water as they drink, because they can get used to my hands, and when they drink they tip their heads back and look straight at me - which is very cute (sorry to be a bit soppy there!)
The next stage is for me to make a little coop for mum and the chicks to go in actually outside the large coop, with a little run so they can start getting used to grass and all the other things they will hopefully take for granted when they're older.
The four chicks have been seen trampling all over mum, even to the point she has one sitting on her back!
The older chicks are growing their feathers very nicely, but with the smaller two looking quite tatty, as their feathers aren't growing as nicely as the others - is this a problem - I have no idea. Maybe they'll grow normally in a while, but I don't know - hopefully they will.
I replaced the floor in the old coop and made sure all the holes were covered in the door and back wall. Hopefully it's a lot warmer and safer now! At least they have a nice little area to run around in.
Queenie has been teaching the chicks to scratch recently, so every time I go in to check the water cups, I have to clean the bedding straw and sawdust out.
I have picked them up a few times now, and I like holding the coffee lid of water as they drink, because they can get used to my hands, and when they drink they tip their heads back and look straight at me - which is very cute (sorry to be a bit soppy there!)
The next stage is for me to make a little coop for mum and the chicks to go in actually outside the large coop, with a little run so they can start getting used to grass and all the other things they will hopefully take for granted when they're older.
Friday, 20 August 2010
Friday chick update.
Well, despite all my fears and worries, things seem to be going ok in the brooder.
Queenie is showing she's a devoted mother type, and the chicks are eating their chick crumbs, and drinking their water nicely.
They seem to be growing quite quickly already and fluffing up well.
Here's a little film made this morning of the chicks at the watering hole - the whole family taking a break!
Enjoy!
Queenie is showing she's a devoted mother type, and the chicks are eating their chick crumbs, and drinking their water nicely.
They seem to be growing quite quickly already and fluffing up well.
Here's a little film made this morning of the chicks at the watering hole - the whole family taking a break!
Enjoy!
Monday, 16 August 2010
Chick update No.3
I say 'chick update No.3' as I put two updates on the bottom of my last post - I didn't want to seem TOO obsessed!
Today's post will comprise of this first bit - then further down at the bottom there will be updated news as it happens (or pretty much anyway!).
Not a lot to report today so far. We still have four chicks, and they are looking cuter than ever!
I had to make sure the remaining eggs were nicely under Queenie, as she seems to occasionally forget they are there - but then again, it's all new to her and she has a lot to cope with right now!
I very carefully lifted Queenie off the remaining eggs, her chicks were peeping out to see what was going on, to put her in front of her food and water. She was very unsteady on her feet, and so would mine be if I'd had been sitting for the amount of time she has - but she managed to eat some, drink some, and leave behind the biggest, stinkiest deposit I have ever seen from a chicken!
...still, you probably didn't want to know that last bit!
;)
Here's what the chicks look like this morning...
And one of the chicks eating her tasty chick crumbs!
Enjoy!
:D
Today's post will comprise of this first bit - then further down at the bottom there will be updated news as it happens (or pretty much anyway!).
Not a lot to report today so far. We still have four chicks, and they are looking cuter than ever!
I had to make sure the remaining eggs were nicely under Queenie, as she seems to occasionally forget they are there - but then again, it's all new to her and she has a lot to cope with right now!
I very carefully lifted Queenie off the remaining eggs, her chicks were peeping out to see what was going on, to put her in front of her food and water. She was very unsteady on her feet, and so would mine be if I'd had been sitting for the amount of time she has - but she managed to eat some, drink some, and leave behind the biggest, stinkiest deposit I have ever seen from a chicken!
...still, you probably didn't want to know that last bit!
;)
Here's what the chicks look like this morning...
And one of the chicks eating her tasty chick crumbs!
Enjoy!
:D
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Two chicks have hatched!!
After all the fretting and worrying about whether or not I had done everything right...
...should I have moved the eggs?
...will the hen sit still on the eggs long enough?
...have I provided a good enough brooder for the hen and the chicks?
...it looks as though I can relax just a little bit today, as yesterday was the day the first two chicks hatched out of their eggs!
I realised this morning, that the broody hen was in fact Queenie. Queenie was one of the chickens we rescued a couple of years back, and was and still is, the only hen to actually stand up to Rhydian. I remember when she came in, Rhydian started to boss her around, when she reared up, with all her neck feathers standing on end - it made her look like a spitting cobra - the effect was so dramatic! She has been the one most friendly towards me - I feel awful I didn't realise it was her.
I went over this morning to let the rest of the ladies (and Rhydian) out to free range as usual, and to check on the broody hen and the eggs. Inside the coop I heard some definite 'cheeps', so excitedly I open the door and looked inside - there was a little tiny, white head peeping out from under Queenie's rear feathers!
I snuck inside a bit further and sat down on the hay next to the brooder, when ANOTHER head popped out. This one was a light brown colour with a dark stripe on it's head, and looked so cute!
While I was there I couldn't help but pick one up and just marvel at the whole aspect of a new life starting. This was totally unexpected - and I've only had a couple of days to adjust to the thought of possibly having chicks hatching - I just hope that I can look after them well enough for them to survive and prosper.
As I was sitting there, I filled up the small 1kg feeder with chick crumbs and the coffee cap with water (washed out thoroughly of course!). I then held both in front of Queenie one at a time so she knew that they were food and drink for her babies. Hopefully she will show the chicks how to eat and drink properly - at least that's the plan!
Here's a photo of them clambering a bit under the watchful eye of Queenie.
I also took a few little movies - they can be seen on my Youtube channel here, as well as this one below.
You can hear their little cheeps, but you can also hear Queenie telling the chicks to behave themselves!
I'll be keeping regular updates on these little things, so keep checking back for the latest news!
UPDATE!
The newest addition to our family!
Awwwwww!
NEW UPDATE!!
We now have FOUR chicks!
:D
...should I have moved the eggs?
...will the hen sit still on the eggs long enough?
...have I provided a good enough brooder for the hen and the chicks?
...it looks as though I can relax just a little bit today, as yesterday was the day the first two chicks hatched out of their eggs!
I realised this morning, that the broody hen was in fact Queenie. Queenie was one of the chickens we rescued a couple of years back, and was and still is, the only hen to actually stand up to Rhydian. I remember when she came in, Rhydian started to boss her around, when she reared up, with all her neck feathers standing on end - it made her look like a spitting cobra - the effect was so dramatic! She has been the one most friendly towards me - I feel awful I didn't realise it was her.
I went over this morning to let the rest of the ladies (and Rhydian) out to free range as usual, and to check on the broody hen and the eggs. Inside the coop I heard some definite 'cheeps', so excitedly I open the door and looked inside - there was a little tiny, white head peeping out from under Queenie's rear feathers!
I snuck inside a bit further and sat down on the hay next to the brooder, when ANOTHER head popped out. This one was a light brown colour with a dark stripe on it's head, and looked so cute!
While I was there I couldn't help but pick one up and just marvel at the whole aspect of a new life starting. This was totally unexpected - and I've only had a couple of days to adjust to the thought of possibly having chicks hatching - I just hope that I can look after them well enough for them to survive and prosper.
As I was sitting there, I filled up the small 1kg feeder with chick crumbs and the coffee cap with water (washed out thoroughly of course!). I then held both in front of Queenie one at a time so she knew that they were food and drink for her babies. Hopefully she will show the chicks how to eat and drink properly - at least that's the plan!
Here's a photo of them clambering a bit under the watchful eye of Queenie.
I also took a few little movies - they can be seen on my Youtube channel here, as well as this one below.
You can hear their little cheeps, but you can also hear Queenie telling the chicks to behave themselves!
I'll be keeping regular updates on these little things, so keep checking back for the latest news!
UPDATE!
The newest addition to our family!
Awwwwww!
NEW UPDATE!!
We now have FOUR chicks!
:D
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Mother hen
Today I spent a little time making a brooder for the eggs I found.
It's only a bit of 12mm OSB with some old shelf bits for sides, but it will the new home for (hopefully) any chicks that may hatch over the next week or so. I also covered two out of four of the coop roof vents so the end where the brooder sits is in the darker section, which should keep her nice and calm.
Most of the eggs are Silkie eggs, but two are brown and have come from the hybrid layers we rescued from the farm two years ago. Rhydian is our only male, and he is a Silkie so I wonder what will come out of the brown eggs - will they be hybrid brown colour, will they be white, or will they be a strange mix of the two - it remains to be seen.
The weirdest thing about all this happened after I had made a new nest for the broody hen and the eggs. I had just lifted the hen off the eggs and was in the process of moving them ever so carefully, when I heard a cheep and felt the egg I was lifting move!
To be honest, I nearly dropped the egg as I wasn't expecting it to do that!
After the hen had finished drinking and eating from the containers I had put in the old coop, I put her on top of the eggs, and she nuzzled them as she got herself comfortable. The food and water are outside the brooder so she doesn't make it too dirty, and can stretch her legs when she wants something.
The last thing I did was to make sure the door was shut and locked. She is definitely living the dream of having her own secure apartment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)