Chicken bald back

[chooksRCute]

There's no hiding for this boy - sticks out like a sore thumb!!

 

 

 

I luv that the girls are getting their crests already....only 5 wks old.

The broody has started laying already, does this mean she'll be leaving them to it?

[mullethunter]

They're so cute - thanks for photos

[sjp]

their a good size for 5 weeks

[chooksRCute]

their a good size for 5 weeks

 

I agree sjp, the Garvo alfamix??

The broody is laying again, do you know if that means she's had enough?

 

They all FR together in the day, then Broody & chicks have a separate coop n run. But I've notice today (she started laying yesterday) that she's not guarding them anymore & they're wandering all over the garden....5 weeks a bit soon?

[sjp]

I've had broodies start to lay at 5 weeks and ignore the chicks so I've put them back in with the mob they next morning they've been desperate to get back to the chicks and the spent another 4 or 5 weeks with them others never looked back. If their FR with the mob they should be OK, they should know by now who to avoid and were they can get away from the adults when needed they'll just become little terrors for a while. it's also a testimony to a good broody that their confident enough to go walkabout on their own and I bet they've been doing it for a few days to just keep an eye on the lower ranking hens in the mob they can get a bit spiteful as can mom

the Garvo alfamix?? could be but the weather and day length will play a part as well

my chicks are on chick crumb and their doing well 6 just about 3 weeks old from today until Saturday (drawn out hatch 5 will be a week old Friday/ Saturday

[chooksRCute]

Thank you sjp, that's put my mind to rest. The chicks are in their eglu go run as I type, the Broody is in the other run (door open) having a dust bath. If she goes to them & wants to get in Ill let her & see what happens tomorrow. I suppose its a play by ear situation but I feel better having read your message.

 

Hadn't thought about the sun & longer days but yes, I'm sure that makes a big difference to development.

 

Multiple hatching - don't know how do you cope with the anxiety!

[sjp]

I don't do anxiety simple as that

that said I don't normally do 2 so close together but I've been over run with broodies all at the same time coupled with a failed hatch in April and I didn't expect a 6/9 and 5/7 hatch from eggs set in May normally only get 2 or 3 or zero between April and mid July best hatches are normally January - March and mid August well the weekend before the bank holiday so I've got chicks about a week old for a display I used to do

[chooksRCute]

You've certainly got your hands full sjp - will you keep them all or sell some?

 

Broody is definitely finished with her brood, & to be fair they did settle down without her - babies no more

[sjp]

girls will be kept as will one boy for sure He was safe as soon as I saw him as He's a full naked neck as of last night I have a vacancy for a cockerel as one died suddenly and sods law it was the one I didn't want to lose

at the moment the rest of the boys will go in the pot so far I think I've got 2 girls in the first hatch plus the one that I know is a boy hatch 2 I think there at least 2 boys but I'm know better in a week or 2

You've certainly got your hands full not really I find in a brood of 5 or 6 the chicks are more confident and well adjusted and make better adults. 1's and 2's are a pain, single pullets raised with boys can be trouble even through they are easier to add to a mob there don't fear anyone