Chirp Chirp!
Last time we saw each other on Liketu, I was showcasing the homestead!
We were preparing for the chickens that we coming in May, and there was a lot to do.
That day in May arrived yesterday and we are the proud new owners of 9 little chicks...We got 3 Barred Rocks, and 5 Rhode Island Reds. At least 1 male in the Reds. We think....
The day started with a lot of excitement because we drove almost 2 hours away from our home, to pick up the babies from a hatchery. As you can see from the first picture, they came in a little box and were extremely 'chirpy'....I that even a word?
We had everything set up in the brooder too, the heating devide, the waterer, the feeder and lots of love just waiting for them to arrive.
Second picture is the chicks finding out where there food and water was and wow, they went to town...Eating. Drinking. And yes, chirping...A lot.
The night was a little worrisome for my wife, as she kept thinking the brooder wasn't warm enough for the babies. I kept telling her, things were good and we have healthy happy chicks.
And this is where the adventure take a turn...
We woke up and found one of the baby chicks with a toe ripped off. This isn't rare apparently with fowls, as they get them caught in things and as soon as there is blood, their flock start picking at it.
We immediately took a picture of the toe (as seen in the picture) and I horruied off to the local poultry vet. Yes, there is such thing, and I had no idea until today it was a thing lol
We bought some antibiotics for the little chick and did our best to save her. But there was something wrong with her from the get go. As soon as we put her back into the brooder I saw her limp even more. And she just didn't seem to be all there. Her flockmates all were under the heater but she stayed out in the middle of the brooder.
The day went on and then my wife was cleaning the brooder earlier this evening and found that the chick had passed away.
Worst part of this story...My 5 year old son was there when she found the dead chick and welp...You can guess, he wasn't very happy. His first 24 hours of being with chickens, and one dies...Oh wow, that's pretty rough.
This is new territory for us, and I really hope we are doing these birds right. There is a lot to learn and we are learn ing that's for sure. I pray this is the only one we lose, because apparently, raising chicks can be a gamble if things arent perfect.
Updates next week on the journey....
For the best experience view this post on Liketu
Hello brother, how nice that you have started this stage with the cold chickens. It is a pity that one of them has been bad to the point of dying. It is also too bad that your son witnessed this situation, I hope you can raise the others without problems and that they grow up healthy. A hug from Cumaná state Sucre Venezuela.
Thanks, yeah it was traumatic for sure for my son.
They are cute chicks, my neighbor raises a lot of chickens and they are extremely delicate, you have to take a lot of care so they can grow up very healthy. 🐤
Success with this new brood of chicks! Keep them warm! They will grow strong and fast.🐥
Appreciate it, it's been an adventure already lol
I can't wait for u to start selling eggs.lol
Oh it's coming...Hive accepted lol
Ah that poor little chick! I guess it’s life, but not a great start.
I’m sure the others will be alright now and will grow up to healthy chickens
Sucked. Felt for my kid too, just an awful first experience.
Totally! But many great experiences and memories are coming!
It's too bad for the chick but there wasn't much you could do about it. I hope nothing bad happens with the rest and I am sure you are learning everything as it goes along.
The others seem to be thriving. Big test is the next few days. Crossing fingers!
I enjoy the updates and the learning process you're going through. The little chick passing away was unfortunate, but I hope the rest will be okay and grow stronger :)
Hope so. They seem to be doing good!
Awesome stuff! I really want to raise some chickens when we get a house. They are such good animals for various things. One of the big things is to feed them your kitchen vegetable scraps! They will eat it all, with some exceptions of course. Any peelings of cucumbers, tomato scraps, lettuce, carrot peels and all that. It’s all great food for the things and improves the quality of the eggs!
Big thing for us too...They'll keep the bug population down where we live lolol
Shame man, that's so sad, especially that your son was there. Maybe she already had something like you said, it's not really a way to know if you haven't been around where they hatched. I also know that little birdies like this are sometimes attacked by mice looking for an easy meal, but if they are in an enclosed area, doubt that's a possibility.
I'm so sorry but I wish you all the best of luck for the days forward. They don't stay that size for long, so enjoy it.
And yes, Chirpy is definitely a word. 🐥
Yeah and I didn't even bother to check her feet when we picked them up. We just assumed they were all good.
I used to have chicks years years ago. After about 21 days incubation under their mum, they would crack the eggs and show their heads :)
Yeah that's the next step....Raising them from eggs lol
Baby chicks are so sweet to see and be around at first but then the fun always begins when you have to handle things like your chick experienced. I hope that the rest of the chicks take to their new home and settle in nicely. Take care.
!CTP
Day 3, and they all seem to be doing pretty good so far!
That is great to hear.
Very cute.