Esther and Winnie Fluff to feathers The Archive
A Golden Laced Wyandotte and Easter Egg Chicken as they grow from chick to Hen
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Chicks to Pullets to Hens Esther Easter egger and Winnie The Wyandotte 23
08/26/2007 2:17 pm
barg 		» Esther & Winnie ~ A New Beginning ~The Game Is On
19 And 11 Weeks

Mrs. Nezbit was put in with the chicks a while ago.
We have stopped a few attacks with the super soaker.
So far this seems to be going well, there is constant guard duty.
A few minutes ago the pullets decided it was time for the afternoon nap in the coop house. Panic ensued when Mrs. Nezbit couldn’t get into the house; she paced back and forth while the others went in and out of the house trying to figure out why she wasn't coming in.
In particular, Emerald stood at the wall and she and Mrs. Nezbit seemed to mirror each other, trying to get to the other side.


More later as things develop
08/26/2007 3:09 pm
thndrdancr 		sitting on the edge of my seat....keep the updates coming, I WILL have to do this in a few months.....
08/26/2007 3:41 pm
DoctorGoose 		Go Esther and Winnie!
08/26/2007 4:09 pm
barg

Changeing of the guard
Things have been going well enough that I decided to add Emerald to the mix.
So far the big girls have made a couple of attempts at an attack, but as before, the super soaker saves the day.

Four hours until bed time for the chickens, I'll have another report at that time.


Last edited by barg (08/26/2007 9:43 pm)
08/26/2007 5:37 pm
rosyposyosy 		glad to here some good news! i think i will try putting my banty hen in with my chick when i integrate them. good idea! i dont have any super-soakers so i guess i will have to just use a hose darn.
08/26/2007 8:52 pm
barg 		Just before 8 P.M. My time, I put the Australorps back in the main coop.
The super soaker was fairly successful; The Australorps got some good lessons in what happens when you behave badly.
The Attacks were infrequent but continued all day; it was a very long day.
The main difference this time was that the chicks had time to take a breath and were more able to go about their daily business. The Chicks are still afraid of the Pullets but since there were never any prolonged periods of assault, it did go much better.
After the pullets went to bed, I brought the chicks in to their home in the garage.
Tomorrow I’ll be changing things on them, I’ll be taking Mrs.Nezbit, Emerald and Hazel and putting them in the tractor, then putting the Chicks into the main run with Domineak.
If all goes well in the main run, I’ll add Hazel to the mix.

For the Record:I have decided to abandon the idea of making them a “Neutral Zone” for reasons discussed in this thread Desperate! Why did no one tell me this about chickens? By biretta
Since the plan I had would only be temporary, I didn’t want to run the risk of creating more problems then I already have.
If I decide in the future that they need more space, I’ll plan for something more permanent.

Last edited by barg (08/26/2007 8:52 pm)


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NewGuineaChooks
Member 		Thanks for the age progression photos. I've been able to guess the age of a chick my brother in law brought home, by comparison with the photos. (about 5 weeks) Very useful!
#228 08/27/2007 2:49 pm
barg 		~Musical Chickens~
I started today by putting Hazel, Emerald and Mrs.Nezbit in the tractor and then put the chicks in the main coop with Domineak.
After lunch I added Hazel to the main coop.
Overall I would say that the Dominiques are less agressive toward the chicks then the Australorps; there have been a few brief attacks and we have used the supersoaker a couple times, just to be sure things don't get out of hand.

I would have to say that, space was never an issue the last time since they have been occupying half the space this time around and things are going better.

I'm not sure what my next move will be, but im leaning toward putting the Australorps into the main coop with the chicks for a day and having the Dom's back in the tractor.

Here are today's Pics.



I may post more if I get something really good.
I'll add an update this evening.

Last edited by barg (08/27/2007 2:51 pm)
#229 08/27/2007 11:43 pm
barg
Member 		I’ve managed to stop an all out assault on the chicks, but I really don't know what would happen if I left them alone.
I guess tomorrow will be another round of musical chickens.

It's worth mentioning, at the end of the night tonight, when the pullets were ready to go to bed; I put the Australorps into the main coop with the rest.
There was a little bit of strife, which I broke up, but the main thing on the pullets mind was going up the ladder to bed, which they did.
As soon as the last Pullet went up the ladder, Winnie, who is the more assertive of the two chicks, started up the ladder followed closely by Esther.

They couldn’t decide if it was a good idea to go in, and as I watched them, I couldn't decide either.

In the end, I closed off the door and took the chicks inside.
There is a 5 hour period between the time the pullets are let out and there is someone able to keep an eye on them, so I decided to wait a little while longer before letting them go back into the Matriarchs Den.

Last edited by barg (08/27/2007 11:46 pm)
08/27/2007 11:43 pm
thndrdancr 		Just wanted to let you know, I really look forward to getting on here and getting updates on your group late in the evening. Really finishes my day up nice to come on here and hear about them, so please keep it up, I am not the only one thats interested.

Jill