The Poultry Keeper

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Well, the final bit of the story. Today I threw away the three eggs that fell on the floor, they never hatched so the fall did kill them and I am pretty much upset about that as they were the only reason I was hatching in the first place! So now I have a nice little new family not exactly as planned but it will be interesting to watch them grow. Now I need lots of advice as to what to do next, how long they stay under the heat, when do they come off chick crumb, do they need grit now etc etc. I have looked up some info but I like to get the opinions of people on here as it's always very helpful.

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

I gradually reduce the heat until it's off all day at 6 weeks, although at this time of year they may remain in the shed until 8 weeks to be certain they are fully feathered. Chick crumbs for up to 6 weeks, then gradually change to growers pellets. When they do go outside, see they are relatively draughtproofed. Mine go into the brooder arks - triangular jobs with attached runs. At this time of year they are 'chicken greenhouses' for the young birds - covered with clear polythene almost the whole length, with shade netting on one side too. I have the shade net under the polythene so I can leave it there in the summer (what summer you ask). At least 6" width from top to bottom needs to be left uncovered to allow air to circulate - I leave this gap on opposite sides at opposite ends.

cadwganchicks · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:11 pm Post subject:

in my second batch I only had one chick. He is all by him/her self. Will that make a difference to him/her later in life? It didnt occur to me to get friends for him. He will be alone until wednesday when more will be born. Will he be ok? Confused

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Thanks Henwife. I have got an Ark, but I thought maybe a small hen house with the lamp in it, at this time of year then they can always get some heat just in case. They are all doing well except the meat birds are growing faster and eating more!

CP · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:30 am Post subject:

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Update on the mixed bunch. Billy no mates is such a cute bird. He is such a character with his little leghorn tail sticking up in the air. He has been imaginary dust bathing today on the newspaper, no dust in sight, it is very very endearing. His little blonde mate is whizzing around everywhere and the other 7 meat birds are growing like mad, huge hulking great things.

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Update on my lovely little hatchlings and their huge fat companions. They are just about to go out into their new hen house. Still don't know the sexes. I think I've got five cockerels in the meat birds (out of 7!) Of my two hatchlings, (both together on the right of the last picture) I think and am hoping that the dark one (Billy no Mates) might be a girl, the little sweet white one is growing a lovely comb and looks a bit dodgy for a girl. We live in hope. Here they all are crammed into their too small brooder box.

NannyP · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject:

Looks like 4 coqs, which isn't such a problem when they're meat birds. I love the purple one Laughing

what breed is she?

Looks like they'll be happy in their new, larger residence Smile

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 269 Location: Folkestone, Kent

Yes, the cockerels...... my partner keeps saying MMMmmmm look at those legs! Poorly little purple is of the "henpecked" breed. Too small a space, other half injured his back so couldn't get the new house ready until now.