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sjp

we're 6 weeks old update 18 weeks old

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is it to early to start free ranging the chicks (8 weeks old this weekend) and broody with the big girls?

at the moment I let them out after the big girls have being put back in they're run but now the nights are drawing in and it's started to rain the last couple of evening just as them get let out,they aren't getting much play time out of the run

all thourghts welcome

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It works for me. I've always free ranged chicks from around 8 weeks onwards with the rest of the flock but it's because none of mine are bullies, they're all used to having youngsters around and the youngsters have the added bonus of being able to duck and dive quickly! The babies soon learn they way of the world and how to respect their elders. The only problem is with feed, chicks of that age cannot have layers pellets. It's one of the reasons why I mix my own grains, I can tweak the recipe so that it suits everyone.

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They are lovely - I like them at this age, real little characters :D I have 3 8 week old pekins and an 11 week old wyandotte bantam - I tried putting them in the netted off veg patch but they didn't have a clue what to do :lol: But then they don't have a Mum and I'm too scared to let them out with my 8 big girls :anxious: Sorry to hijack but would be interested in what you all think :dance:

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I had mine living in the big girls free range area and in sight of their run for about 3 - 4 wks I am sure this helped. They went out free ranging with them last week when they were nearly 10 wks old and it went very very well. I would have them living near by so they all get used to each other.

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well I let them out with the big girls and it went ok.

Faith the broody and Hope had a set to which Hope started these two have been living togeather since easter when I brought them till Faith went broody

then Faith mounted Rusty the CLB, Rusty submitted then got 'slapped' by Faith which was out of order

both of which I half expected as it's happened before when I left them out one big girl to 1 broody and 4 chicks

I tried the 3 girls that I trust

once they settled down and the treat tub came out the big girls stay by me at the top of the garden while the youngters went of the other end to check the big run out

the maran chicks weren't brave enough to get to close the TNN was went right up to Starfish (who'd got a bit of cuccumber) and started to help his self, Starfish just looked at him which was enough of the TNN to run of with a bit of a cry which resulted in Hope and Starfish having a set to not a bad thing as Starfish can be a bit of a bully

at this point I ended the outing. round one a success i think

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I'm going to try this weekend. The babies have been with big girls in run for a while tonight while I distracted Grackle and Pigeon with corn but they are used to them being in a divided bit of the run so just stared at them every now and then.

I've found the babies are so quick it would get the others fit trying to catch them :lol: The obstacles in the run would give babies lots of chances to duck out of the way if there was problems anyway. However, I'm not planning to merge them anytime soon.

 

Remember the pics sjp

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Thorght it was about time I put some new pics on 1-3 taken today (14/9/2010) 12 weeks old yesturday

boy maran still not sure which one

DSC00277.jpg

boy naked neck

DSC00275.jpg

girls maran again still don't know which one

DSC00250.jpg

this one was taken a week last saturday the legs under the chair are the TNN just included it for fun

DSC00234.jpg

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I'd ask for a refund!

I'm not to bothered tell the truth that they aren't pure marans ( I 'd just like to know what the cross is cause it'll bug me to hell and back not knowing but thats me) the fact both hatched is good enough for a first go also the girl I delt with did say that she didn't know if they'd hatch as they hadn't hatched any at that time. I got a naked neck and an Araucana (even if it didn't survive past 2 weeks) to hatch so I'm pleased with what I've got. I hatched 5 out of 6, with all 6 been fertile, I was also hoping for at least one for the pot

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Just to add my tuppence-worth .... the male looks like he certainly has some Copper Black Marans in him. He could well be crossed with a Welsummer. The girl has a Welsummer look about her, but most definitely not pure. The feathered legs could easily be some French Marans influence. Either way, I'm sure the boy will be delicious and you should get some nice brown eggs from the girl. :)

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