I didn't see any harm. The auction was something he wanted to see. We needed fencing and "stuff" for my new coop/run, and I know they handle that, as well. I had thoroughly explained that because of some unexpected chicks, I had no room for more, and might have to cancel an order already placed.
Yeah, right.
10:00 last night, Joe comes home, just as I was ready to pack it in for the night. He carried in a box. Which was peeping.
Drat.
"You can just put them in with the Turkens. Bobby'll pick up half of them tomorrow"
With my TURKENBABIES???? What is he, nuts? Put these unknown chicks in with mine? Who knows where they've been? Well, I know where they've been, at an auction. Lord knows what they're carrying...
And what do you mean, HALF? What part of the too many chicks discussion did you not understand? And what makes you think they'll be hens? The box says "chicks". Not "pullets". And my faith in the methods used around here for chick sexing is limited.
By midnight I had everything set up, and the chicks seemed to be doing better (they were very quiet at first, and piled up). Of course, I kept hearing them thru the night, and checking.
Sigh.
And I'm not even particularly fond of RIRs. Would not be my choice if I _had_ to have more chicks.
Just say no to auctions...RANT
AwwwwwThe rejection they must be feeling at this moment. Don't you feel real bad about now for what you said. Just go out and look at those poor turned down faces you have created with that attitude, and the power you have to change all of that. I do hope I have made you feel just a little guilt. P.S. ENJOY YOUR new babies...LOL...Hay
Not that Haystack is an enabler or anything.. I'm just sayin.,.
I hope you get it all settled.. :)
Poor little babies. But, I can understand you NOT wanting to put them in with your own chicks especially since they were at an auction. Good for you for keeping the apart. There are some really talented people here that can help you with the gender of the chicks. If some of them happen to grow on you... maybe you'll want to keep them LOL.
I vote you let ZZ help you choose your half. It will definitely increase your chances of getting pullets.
*G*. I just reached and plucked. It was that, or have them ALL stay.
Yes, Haystack, I feel badly that I spoke of them that way. I have apologized. Interesting that you said "go out" and look. They are in my bathroom. Which I had JUST cleaned out after the last batch moved into the grow-out condo. It's all nice and (ugh) warm in there again.
You may grasp part of the cause of my annoyance if I explain that at 10:30 I was scrambling to RE-assemble all the elements of chick starting that I had oh-so-carefully stowed away in the top of the shed. Not a big deal when you have advanced warning, and light. A bit of a pain (literally) when one finds oneself trying to avoid the chickens roosting, the big cage/house that had to be pulled in because it was going to be 44 degrees,and various deposits quite visible during the day, less so with only a headlamp. Just getting there unscathed at night is a trick. I usually take the big light, but of course it's currently on the blink (ha ha).
I'm better now. I'll find a corner for them. I don't hate the breed, just never found the hens very personable, with one exception (Rosie). The roos were downright mean. Maybe there will be a new shoulder chicken among them.
Or, more likely, 6 roos.
p.s. After this, I am leaving one proper sized box with all the neccesaries in it. Newspaper, water bottle, roll of paper towels, Light, extra bulbs, and extension cord. A wire top already adjusted on top, and the whole kit and caboodle at the front of the shelf. I will not sort everything and store neatly on different shelves and walls.
Bah *G*
Oh My MY My! LOL! too funny , such is the life of a Chickenhead! Poor Catmad!
One thing bout it, All you have to do is put an add on craigslist and sell those babies!
By the way how many auction Chickies came in that box?
YOU ROCK!!! CATMAD...Hay
{{{{ Don't tell your auction-lover about the prepared chick-kit though.}}}
Love it Cat. Makes me want more babies.
You are inspired by unusual things, LfJ!
Sweet...
I got our last batch of chicks 2 months ago and figured I would not get anymore this year.. Wrong.. I forgot I had ordered some Cocko's from someone last winter and was told they are coming in on the 29th with the rest... Darn forgot what I ordered and that means I got to build more pens ASAP.. Atleast they will keep them for me until they get feathered or until I get settled and now the new place can handle a light all night long..
Does anyone know how long a hot water bottle last's? It will not be wise for me to run a light all night long anymore until next year...
About 2 hours, but it depends on the outside temp, as well. There are alternative heat sources that I've used for small mammals, but not chicks. I don't know if heat underneath is enough for baby birds, but this might help.
http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Supply-Imports-SnuggleSafe-Heating/dp/B00008AJH9
I'm not sure if it's the actual light you're concerned about, or the electricity. If you are okay with the ekectric, there are dog heating pads that might work, let me know if you want info on them:)
Margo
Its the electrical that I am worried about, during the day it would not be a problem, but not having the wind generator or the backup generator, nothing will be charging the batteries and it might drain them.
Yes that would be a big concern. Batteries that get too low often are not rechargeable.
I printed out a page the other day that was instructions on how to revive a dead battery. It was very interesting and could save people some money. I have a battery I wanted to try it on.