My DH is gonna kill me when he gets back in town...but, they're worth it!
So....4 are supposed to auracaunas, but the white one doesn't really look like it to me. What do you think?
I got peepers
Araucana or Ameracauna? It does look like it has a tail, which most Araucana don't have--but it looks like it might have puffy cheeks, which Ameraucana/Americauna and most Easter Eggers do.
Well she said "Auracana" but the white one was iffy and it does have the poofy cheeks.... The one she said was a "black Australorp" has no tail though! And I keep saying "he" though they are all supposed to be pullets...
I'm cool with what ever they may be! But knowing would be good!
Claire, She said Americauna.. Spelling Police!!!! Where are you!
They all look like EEs to me.. and darling at that! The white one has the lil muffs.
I love the pretty eyes on the others.. Congrats Jenks... I hope the cuteness factor is high enough to calm the DH. :)
It does look like an Australorp.. I couldn't see that one in the first pic.. so cute! Do you have a side pic of the Australorp?
They look like pullets from what I can see in the pic... except I can't see the black one.
Here is the black one. It's smaller than the rest, but bravest of them....and one of the laced looking ones will go into a circle running frenzy sometimes....it's different than the rest in another way. My DD said it's "disturbed" in the head. She's 10 and these are our first chicks so....it may be nothing. But here are first time moms worrying.
DH is on the beach fishing and barely grunted his disapproval!
Yes: spelling police beware before I take over!! ;)
How can you tell they are pullets?
They are adorable. Any idea how old they are? I love the white one.
They are 1 week. The white one has a dark spot on her head.... DD has been calling her Snow White, but "Spot" is not quite fitting either....
My dear ZZ "Americauna" is the approved weasle word for people who think there chickens are Ameraucanas--but can't prove it.
And tell Cody he is a genius! The computer is clean and faster than ever. (Her son repaired both my digital camera and my computer in the last two weeks).
I just switched to papertowels for the litter, er, I don't know proper terms.... but can I line the bottom with newspaper? The crate has a lip and I filled the dip in with newspaper first, then put the paper towels on top.
And can I clean the white one's dirty wing?
I put newspaper in, then the litter (pine shavings) then paper towels the first few days. When the chicks are eating well, I remove the paper towels and leave them on the shavings. The newspaper at the bottom makes it easier to clean the brooder.
Jenks, I have been using newspaper as a liner from day 1. At first, I put towel over it. Now I am using shredded newspaper. They are doing OK with it and have fun scratching the shreds. Since this is my first time, I'm no authority on raising chicks. I will probably switch to straw or something like that when they move outside to a coop. Putting the paper through my paper shredder is very time consuming. I have been using shredded paper for guinea pig litter for years and he is fine. I only have to shred once a week to keep his cage clean. With these guys, its almost daily.
One of mine had pasty butt and I had to clean him with warm water a few times. It worked fine. You could probably do the same for a dirty wing.
Do you have a coop yet?
Becky
I just noticed that they're getting dirtier with the paper towels and no shavings. I'm going to put the shavings back in!
I have a barn and an outside run for them. Until they're bigger and can roam the paddock, they'll be in the run. I think I may put the nesting boxes up set so they can run up a ramp into the nesting area that's inside the barn.
I use the cloth like paper towels only for traction.. when the chicks first go in, I actually sprinkle drops of water to make it slightly moist so they can get a good hold to stand up.
I also line the "dips" around the edge, since the newly hatched chicks will flip over and not be able to get out...
I was using shavings early on, but have seen them eating shavings and with this group, I'm going to use paper towels a bit longer.
Congrats Jenks!!! That is wonderful! They are cute, whatever they are. :)
Hey Sewin! Thanks! How is everything with you?
Congrats Jenks! The Spelling Police are so excited with the babies, they are ignoring the whole matter of the Americauna/Ameraucana business.
I definitely would wash dirty wings in warm water and towel dry, followed by blow dry (but not too hot). Provides a good bonding opportunity!
Congrats on the peepers. Cute as speckled pups!
Thanks Mox and Caj! Will do the wing cleaning tomorrow when the air is off in the house! Thanks again!
I DO need to do a lot of bonding then? I worry that they'll have heart attacks from handling!
I've been picking mine up once or twice a day. And my granddaughter holds them when she is here. So far, they haven't pecked her (surprising!). DH picks them up and talks to them everyday too. I don't know if we're bonding, but they sure know who provides the crumbles...
Oh yeah.. I try to handle them as much as possible.. Sure makes it nice when they are full sized and you don't have to chase them all over the State to catch them. It's also nice to go out and have them come up for scratches and attention... :)
I was just thinking how far I have come in such a short time as a chicken rancher.. I chuckeled at Jenks fear of giving her chicks a heart attack for over handleing.. Jenks.. it ain't gonna happen.. lol.. they, however, will give you a heart attack while you are chasing them a year from now trying to say their life from some hawk or storm or something... you will throw your hands up in desperation and cry out.. "fine die you stupid chickens".. take three steps, crying of course.. take a deep breath, turn around and start the chase over.. this time with a new vengenge.. LOL (ask me how I know)
Move forward to second set... handle the heck out of them... they follow you everywhere.. they jump on you at every turn...
My vote.. maul them... they love it! you'll love it! they won't die from it! It will pay off in the end!
Edited to enhance spelling police's life.
Ha! I will give the DH a heart attack if there is a second round! Now there's a plan....>snicker<
OK. Will handle the heck out of them. Perhaps I should allow the DD's friends to come handle them as well....carefully and with out making me nuts! That was Sunday. All the friends wanting hold them and I was like a new mother with her first child not wanting to let anyone hold them!
This message was edited May 6, 2009 9:20 AM
Agree totally with Fran and ZZ and all - handle them as much as possible. Wash hands first so as not to transmit any bacterial infections from something else you have handled. Probably good to wash hands after too, but that's for your benefit, not theirs! LOL! Definitely lots of handling makes for better chicken relationships.
Spelling Police appreciate life enhancement!
Oh yes, mine are all hand raised and they will come over and get up on your lap when you are outside. They are very easy to catch when you need to. And it makes it easier if they need to have treatmet also later on. They are use to being handled and are clam. :) did I hear a bell?...ding ding ROUND 2???? LOL
Cool! Sewincircle has pet clams! I want a pet clam that is used to being handled! Do they make any noises? How does the clam get up on your lap?
(ROTFL....I love typos....)
I had NO idea what you meant til I reread what I wrote. hehehe Yes, clams are very nice. I do have hermit crabs. :) What do clams eat? Will chickens eat calm clams cold? hehehe
Six silly sea serpents sipping spring water by the sea shore. LOL
I want a clam!
We had a hound dog named Clem and when Krystal was little she called him Clam.
Clams clamp and cling to climb. Best to be carefully clad when being clomb by clams to avoid inconvenient clam clamp............
love it! grow, is this before or after your morning coffee?!
(( ;o ))During. But I'm just as bad either way, lol. Always got fussed at in college because nothing ever made me crazier....somebody always thought they could really get me going if...not realizing I already was. ooooh weeeelll. I'm in a wassailing mood now...
Is that legal?
lolol. I'm always legal, Cajun. Just not always normal or right in the head............still laughing...
Take solace in the fact that normal is a relative term.
pbphphbhbblpllpptt!!