My chicks are getting big!
I love birds. They’re so curious and cautious. Plus they can fly and humans have such a fascination for flying, especially me.
Raising chickens is such a joy. They’re like little antidepressants. They take quite a bit of responsibility when they’re little. Everyone says to get more chicks than you need because some will die but I am determined to raise all of mine without losing anyone.
So far they’re all accounted for. We have 10: Yellow Star, Peep, Brown, Nix, Anubis, Turd Ferguson (also known as Terdie), Betty Boop, Clover, Buffy, and Chika
Even though I’ve worked with birds before and raised a few parrots this has been it’s own learning experience. I now know:
- Everyone has an opinion on grit and when to feed it to chicks. Some sites and farmers say start them at 2 weeks some say later even up to 8 weeks. I learned that it’s best to get them on it right away to help avoid pasty butt.
- Chickens never have enough bedding. They dig and scratch so much even when they’re little that they really need layers and layers until they’re outside. Everyone says this, but you really never have enough bedding and it’s never changed enough either.
- It’s probably better to get a hen and let her raise the chicks. I love being a chicken mommy, but it makes them sensitive. My youngest son spent the first few weeks asking, “Where’s their mommy?” and that question really hit my heart because the chicks are so social and attached to each other that I think they need that maternal connection. (Sure, it’s cute when the chicks hide under me if I crouch down and they run to me as if I was their mom, but I am not a chicken and I have my own kids.)
The chickens have spent their first few nights outside and love roaming our yard during the day. After the first night out everyone was fine, but the one who struggled the most with pasty butt (Terdie) was desperate for some attention from me and kept staring at me like: How could you?
They’re starting to get their combs and clucking more than peeping now.
Eggs are not far off but for now I’m enjoying having my little flock trim the greenery and keep the bugs at bay.
Jessica Marie Baumgartner 