emmastar Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Well i have 6 chicks all diferent breeds . A and so thinking 3 in one 3 in the other Room is gettng a bit tight in the brooder and some have nearley fully feathered only the head to go and 3 are still getting there , Can i split the 1 group into 2 ? and will this cause a problem with free ranging in the future ? the 3 that are feathered nearley are elle , poppy , perdi , Im still not sure if they are boys or girls yet the breeder was preaty sure elle was but the marans are so diferent they both have combs but looking at pics they look to get quite a big one even if they are girls so im stumped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 What are your long term plans for them? I would probably not try and divide them up, especially as you aren't sure of the sexes. Dividing them up now may mean you have reintegration problens later, if this becomes necessary. When they are small, they will all fit into one Eglu anyway. If they need the space, is there any way you could join the two runs together end-to-end... then they can choose whether they all sleep together in one Eglu or split off. Even long term I'd be tempted to keep them together and let them choose where they sleep at night. If you plan to keep them all, you could always consider upgrading one or both your Eglus to a Cube. (I'd probably keep one Eglu for intros though). Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I agree, I'd wait till you are sure of the sexes. You don't say how old they are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I agree too, I keep batches of 7 or 8 bantam growers in an Eglu and run and only separate when they get to 12 weeks or so and need more space I'd move them to one Eglu (remove roosting bars though till they are older) and then once you know the sexes separate them depending on what your plan is for the boys and how many boys you get your options for splitting when the time comes are one boy to one or more girls or split boys and girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 They are just over 4 weeks , i would love to keep them all but no way i can keep the boys so sadley a trip to the vets will be hapening when they start to doodle do I went for 2 eglues rarther than a cube as i thought in emerganceys i would be able to move them about if nesisary . Im going to be always having 6 chucks , I carnt get another brooder and they have to stay in there another 2 weeks here will be no room left , i was ment to get 6 bantoms but ended up with 1 silkie and the rest large not that i mind as they are all so stunning Im not to sure how to goin them up if i can that would be great as i would like them to have more room and options to deside who they share with etc and 4m of run between would be good too , How old before i start to tell if they are boys or girls ? i have marans , Wyandotte ( breeder thinks she is a girl ) Araucana and a silkie ( i no it will be ages before i can tell with this guy , and a silkie cross thats huge . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 I am going to try to keep boys as long as i can as i only have 2 people close and they are quite tolerent , i dont want to give them away as i wont feel happy knowing if they have gone to a good home or not , so sadley if no other option and they carnt stay they will go to sleep at the vets humainley , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 You should have a chance of sexing the Marans now, possibly the Wyandotte and maybe the SIlkie cross depending on what the cross was The Araucana and Silkie will take much longer If there were two boys then you could split them in to trios, if there are more than two boys you'd have to split in to male and female groups as two boys with one girl isnt really an option I'd keep them in for another week while this horrid rainy weather passes then if it brightens up they can go outside in the day for a few days then outside permenantly, do cover the run though to keep them dry and shut the eglu door at night so they stay out of any drafts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 My marans have been driving me crazy with sexing them , both have head gear and both are the sameish size but one feathered up super quick do you think if i can mange to post some pics on here you my all be able to help a little ? im 90% sure elle is a girl with even my little experience . The cross i have no idea what it is a mix of its defentaly a silkie corss as it has 5 toes and leg feathers but it is ALOT bigger than the silkie and is looking to be buff . Also i have the 1 eglu set up in a dry area under a tree and also have the cover to put on and an extra 2 new shades ariving next week . Will asnugglesafe help ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I expect that some people would be able to help if you posted pics yes The Eglu set up sounds good, add another shade to the one you have and it should be fine A snugglesafe shouldnt be necessary if you shut the Eglu door, if you do decide to use it then put it to one side maybe leanng against the nestbox so they can choose to sleep by it or not sleep by it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Boy on left, girl on right ... from hatching threadast year. Click Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
