Friday, March 23, 2012

Back to 6

After my last post, I called ACE Hardware and told them I lost one of the Chicks. The manager told me to come get a replacement!
So I jumped in the truck and got another "Chipmunk" one. Odd Ball has a darker strip down her back then the new one and I may give her that name.
I took a plastic bowl to carry her in, nit thinking that she would not be able to stand up on the slippery bottom. But she jumped out of the bowl 3 times on the trip home. I had set the bowl in a box on the seat and each time she got out, she ended up on the edge of the box, just like she was roosting for real!
All six are in the brooder now and I got a couple pictures of them:

You can see the two "Chipmunks" standing side by side. Rhode Island Reds? We will see!

This corner seems to be the place they like, or is it just as far as they can get away from me?
So day two, A little sadness and a new addition. I wonder how many are Roosters? Time will tell!
Tom

15 comments:

  1. They are all beautiful. I am smiling with you. I hope one day to have some of my own.

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    1. Emily,
      Just keep thinking :one Day" and it will happen. It took me 4 years to finally get my little ones! Hang in there!
      Tom

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    2. Even though we are pretty rural, we have an HOA and chickens are not allowed. My husband and I have just decided to look for more land... I see chicken in my future, just might be a while! I am so glad you have yours now.

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  2. They may be too warm - you can raise the heat lamp a bit. You can always tell if they're too warm or too cold by where they are in respect to the heat lamp. I am glad they replaced your lost babe. I'll have to look up the chipmunks - they look familiar!

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    1. Susan,
      I raised the heat lamp as you suggested. And they are all over the place! Very active!

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  3. I agree with Susan, the chicks seem to be too warm. Glad you got a free replacement, and they DO look like little chipmunks! Do I see a "Chippy" hen in your future flock?

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    1. Carolyn,
      I always lisen to Susan and the lamp has been raised.
      Now it looks like they are holding their own Redeo.
      "Odd Ball" and "Chipmunk", I hope they both are Hens! And that only one of the Leghorn is a Roo!
      But what are the chances of that happening?
      Tom

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  4. Usually when your light is at the right height and just the right temp, you will find them all snuggled up in a heap right under it. I agree with CR who agrees with Susan, you might want to raise the light a little.

    Don't feel bad at all about losing the one chick. The stress of their journey to get to you is tough on them even though they are stronger than you might imagine at 1-2 days old. It seems it's almost inevitable to lose at least one chick out of a batch.

    Happy chick watching!

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    1. Mama Pea,
      I hate that this had to happen on the very first time! I knew that it would at some point. It still shocked me when I saw the little one on the floor of the Brooder.
      I'm glad that all you ladies (exsperts!) agree and I did raise the lamp. They seem more active and are all over the place. Fun to watch!
      Tom

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  5. Tom, congratulations on your chicks! What a great addition. Chickens are the best entertainment ever.

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    1. Leigh,
      Thanks! And they sure have entertained me! The funniest thing is when they all stick their heads in the feeded and fall asleep, all six little butts in the air!!
      Too Funny!
      Tom

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  6. Congratulations Proud Papa.
    Your peeps are sweet. Old wives tale, If you turn a chick onto it's back and it's legs draw up it is a hen, if the legs stick straight out, it's a rooster. It worked with ours last year. Have 7 hens and 1 rooster. Most are laying and the ole boy knows what he is here for.
    Have fun with the babes.
    T

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    1. If that wives tale is right, I have 1 Roo and 5 Hens! Both of the Rhode Island Red's pulled their legs up and 1 of the Leghorn held it's legs straight out. Could I be that lucky?
      Thanks!
      Tom

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  7. I don't want to argue with any of the expert ladies on here cause I'm totally new to the owning chickens myself, but the pics of your 'oddball' look identical to the chick my daughter picked out herself - an Americana. Her neck is fluffy and her legs and feet turned blue. I'm sure you'll figure that out as she gets older and feathers out. Congrats on the chicks. They are so much fun! I love having chickens!

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    1. Mama,
      Chick's are 5 weeks old now and I have been working on a new home for them. Should have it done tomorrow. Then I have to build a fenced yard for them.
      I have two of the "Striped " ones and they are the only ones I have named so far! "Oddball" and "Chipmunk".
      I hope your right and they both turn out to be "Americana's" and hens! I really want the colored eggs!
      TOM

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