I will find a box of something for them to fly up to... They are getting so awesome, I could just stare at them for hours...
Thanks
Old Tack Box, Tripod and My Grandmothers Quilt Rack
I do too!! I have mine in the living room and watch them instead of TV half the time. They are more fun to watch in my opinion. hehehe
I know it! Imagine watching 87 of them in a big aluminum tank. It's totally addicting. And as of this morning, it's 88. A new Ameraucana hatched from one of my own girls' blue eggs. It is black with a chocolate brown colored head.
Awww That is cool Cmoxon. I dont know if I could handle 88 or them, these 6 keep me going. I am constantly getting after the dogs for trying to get in and play with them, I think 88 would drive my heeler crazy. Now that they are getting older, I noticed that 5 of them have the tuffs of fuzz on thier face,like cheeks, but Stripes does not. Could she be a different breed? Which is totally fine with me, I am just happy they are healthy and getting older. I want to let them out to get pictures but not sure how I would corral them back in after that. I can put my cats in the bathroom, the dogs outside and no harm would come to the chicks, LOL I think I will try it this afternoon. Cant think of a better way to spend a rainy day.
The cheek puffs are definitely suggestive of the Ameraucana (Easter Egger) traits and so that would be consistent with what they told you at the store. The one without the puffs could still be one - not all of them have the trait. That is one of the difficulties with the "Ameraucana" breed.
There is a debate of sorts between what is really an Ameraucana and what is an Easter Egger. There are lots of chickens out there that are sold as Ameraucanas that are actually what they call Easter Eggers. There is a little article on it in this Wikipedia entry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ameraucana
This PDF file is a very useful description of the differences between all three types (Araucana, Ameraucana, and Easter Egger) and will help you figure out more definitely what you have. See especially the chart on the last page.
http://www.apa-abayouthprogramsite.org/Edu_Material/Breed%20Info/Easter%20Eggers.pdf
Hope that helps!
Claire
That was some good reading and if I judged it right by looking at the pictures that I found on a link from that last link http://www.ameraucana.org/
I think I have some Blue or Sliver... Got to check when I get home tonight and get out the camera.
New Pictures of the chicks all of them
3 of them
My favorite stripes
Eyes on Spiderman
I see the dark leg color on this one.
This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 10:14 AM
Love this one Pickle
Sweet Happy
This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 10:13 AM
Oh so cute! I think Pickle is my fave!
I just love the colors!!!! They are beautiful. I like Happy!!!!!
Wow they are getting big quick. I like stripes too!
They are like having new born babies in the house. The last few nights they played all night I swear. I think they sleep when I am at work on purpose. But thats ok, I am enjoying this.
LOL. I feel the same way. Mine do eat a lot over night and are always out of water by morning. hmmm suspicious!!!! Chicky party??? and i said NO friends over!!!
Updated pictures they are getting feathers now... The fluff is flying...
another one and yes that is a car for them to perch
Gosh they are getting big. I love the "cleopatra egyptian" eye look!
I went to the feed store yesterday where I got them, and was going to get some more. They did not have anymore girls that looked like my girls. They actually were not as pretty, no tuffs on the face and no pretty colors. So I went home empty handed...Maybe around easter when they get the new shipment in. I think the chicken fairy has waved her wand on me giving the hankering for more chickens....
I think the chicken fairy is ensuring that you end up with the correct chickens, and will bring those into your life at exactly the right moment. She's very good at that.
Is that Lingernot?? Great! attach your thread link. ;)
They are getting so big! I love the eyeliner! Beautiful!!!
Yes that is Lingernot from the great state of Arizona... He likes the chickens. Here is the tread to read about his adventures. He is on his last stop before he heads back home.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/953784/
Miss J what did you decide these chicks were? I would swear that you have been in my brooder and taking pics of my 6 chicks. I hatched these out and was told they were RIR's I am not to sure of that now. i do have 1 that is the red color but 5 are the black brown rust color like yours with the stripes.
I was told they were the Americanas (Ok I cant spell I admit it) So I am really hoping they are the ones that lay the colored eggs.
OH NO Luvs, you caught me... LOL well not yet anyway. My son will be stationed in Ok in 2 months, and then I will be making a trip to see him. I went back to get more, but they only had the yellow ones without the tufs so I did not get any.
Does yours have the tuffs? 5 out of 6 do.
No no tuffs, do your's. It is hard to tell in the pics.
Well then when you come to Oklahoma We would love to meet ya over a cup of joe. Is he going to Tinker?
Ft Sills is all I know luvs, and I am planning a trip that way in August, It will be around the rodeo that they have there. I am also looking for a horse trailer and hope in Ok they are cheaper.
QUESTION ABOUT CHICKS if I may...
Ok the chicks are about a month old, now its time to take the red light away? I heard somewhere that it may cause them to freak out and attack eachother as the red light was a security blankey for them. Is this true?
Now the weather has turned to 70's in the daytime and 40's in the night time, when can I place them out side??
Can I take them off the medicated chick starter since I found some that is not?
Thanks in advance
MissJ, if the chicks are a month old, you can take the red light away as long as the temperature remains between 75 and 80 degrees. You are supposed to decrease the temps by 5 degrees per week, so 95 the first week, 90 the 2nd, 85 the 3rd and 80 the 4th week. I have taken the light away after 6 weeks with no problem. As I understand it, red light *stops* them from attacking each other because they can't see blood under red light, whereas under white light they can see blood and it's an attractant. I have never had trouble with chicks attacking one another though, with or without light. I think that may be more of a problem if they are very confined or underfed? I am not sure. I have just not seen it personally.
How much of their body is covered in feathers? I would not put them outside until they are basically "fully" feathered" or at least 90% of their body is covered in feathers (not fluff). Also depends on whether their coop is enclosed and will be warm enough for them - they will huddle at night - or if it is more open and possibly drafty.
Definitely you can take them off medicated starter. I only use that for the first 2 weeks.
Claire
Thanks Claire, I have been raising it up every monday. They look like they have bunches of feathers, I have to clean out the box tonight, I will check them out real good. I thought about taking an old dog carrier and attaching it to a wire run and putting it in the coop with the older birds, so they are getting use to the outdoors, but not out with the others. The dog carrier would be like a mini coop and small enough for them to huddle tightly.
I have a half of bag of the medicated left, I will mix it with the non medicated and use it all up.
Thought about you yesterday when I was riding my mustang across the desert. I found some catcus patches and am waiting for them to bloom and then I will send you some pictures. Also watch the mail, Tomorrow Lingernot is sending you a suprise,
Oh wow! Real cactus blooms in the wild! That is so neat. I have this one cactus that can handle the Iowa winters, called Opuntia humifusa, and it flowered last year for the first time. To me, that was just amazing. It was a yellowy-peachy bloom. I wish I could have more kinds of outdoor cactus here. They are neat! I can't believe Lingernot is sending me a surprise! He is the nicest little gnome I ever met! What a treat! I shall keep my eye on the mailbox! Thanks!
I think the dog carrier is a really good idea because that way the older birds can't pick on them either. It will give them a week or so to get adjusted, and then I'd let them out, but keep an eye on them to make sure they don't get mobbed. I've had no problems with mine, but it's best to watch anyway to make sure the older ones don't pick on them too much.
I hope you will show us a picture of the chicks again! It's so neat to see how their feathers come in!
Lingernot has been a big help, I put our last weekends project on his topic, it was a hoot to do.
here is the link in case anyone is not familiar with Lingernot.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/953784/
edit for link
This message was edited Mar 2, 2009 2:56 PM
Thanks for the link MissJester and i love your babys
Miss J, Ft Sill is in Lawton Oklahoma. That is about 40 miles south of Oklahoma City.
How far from you Luvs?
Oh about an hr and 20 minutes
Road Trip ??
YEPPERS Road Trip... WHOOOO HOOOOOO in August so I can attend the Rodeo...
You wouldn't enjoy me on a road trip i like to stop at all the fruit stands and flea markets and plant nursery's i love buying new plants i don't have and if i see a chickens for sale sign i got to stop.
Oh Harmony, I think you would make a perfect traveling companion....