So This Happened Yesterday...

[kendrafitz]

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We have friends that are being given 8 week old silkie and americanaus chickens. 4 in total, two of each. Since they are building a coop and fenced in area they thought they might like 4 more. The problem is they have large dogs and don't want the birds until they are old enough to go in the coop. But obviously it is better for them to be raised around kids and be handled and socialized.

Well, I LOVE babies, all babies. So I couldn't help myself. Jef was away, so there was no one to disagree and I thought, why not? It is only a short commitment and a great experience for both my daughter and I.

So my daughter called around until she found baby chickens that we could pick up yesterday. So we hopped in the Jeep and met our new summer visitors. They are 4 Speckled Sussex Chicks named, Peanut, Sammy the Savage, Ellie It and Snooki.

I had no idea when we were on our way that they were as young as they are. They were 3 days old yesterday.

When I was told their age I thought, uh oh, hand feeding - not fun. But apparently chickens are very different from parrots. They start eating and drinking on their own right away.

So it has been one day and all seems to be well so far. They are snugly and sweet. But very fast, shockingly so for me, who has a parrot that basically waddles when she runs. They sleep most of the day under their heat lamp in Rosie's abandoned crate which has been chick proofed and put in my jacuzzi tub that usually houses Rosie's preshower java tree. We have a corralled little play area for them where we can sit and play with them.

Rosie has been surprisingly fine with the new development. I brought her near the crate yesterday and explained who they were and how long they will be here. No complaints from the Queen. :)


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[kendrafitz]

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[PlaxMacaws]

Cool! They're cute little fluff bumps. I notice that each one still boasts the shape of the egg it came from :th_loltears:

[Dragonlady2]

Wow...they are fast. Good luck catching them if they get out:th_biggrin:

[kendrafitz]

That's funny Tony, you're right. Peanut, the smallest one actually sleeps with her head down and her tush up in the air. I wonder if that's how she was in her egg?

Helena - crazy, isn't it? Especially since yesterday they could barely stand without falling over. They are going to be little road runners. [emoji846]


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[Casper's 2nd best friend]

From what I have seen most animals and birds are tolerant of other species' babies... unless they are part of the food chain. Seem to realise they are just kids at play.
I hope it doesn't get Rosie 'all maternal' though :th_biggrin:

[kendrafitz]

From what I have seen most animals and birds are tolerant of other species' babies... unless they are part of the food chain. Seem to realise they are just kids at play.
I hope it doesn't get Rosie 'all maternal' though :th_biggrin:

So far so good. I am hoping she isn't sexually mature yet. Otherwise we may be in trouble.


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[kendrafitz]

Yesterday was interesting with Rosie. She was quiet when I was with the chicks. I decided to lie down in their play area and they all came running over to peck and then snuggle under my neck.

Once I put them back in their crate and washed up/changed I got Rosie. I am guessing she was a bit jealous because when I sat on the bed with her play setup she ignored it. Instead she sat on my chest and stayed there for over an hour. Very unusual for my busy girl. I gave her lots of kisses and told her she was my love. So hopefully she felt better about it. :)


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[Lady]

I wonder what she thinks of the chicks, they are very cute!

[kendrafitz]

Alice she is slightly interested in them. Although today my mom came by with a friend to see them and didn't pay much attention to Rosie. She was officially annoyed and let us all know it.

They are really cute and getting sweeter every day. I lay in their play area and when they get sleepy they have been coming over to me and snuggling under my chin. All four fit. They also all fit in my hand when they all pile up. :)


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[MacawMomma]

Oh my!! They are too cute for words!!! I love that they snuggled with you!!!

Rosie will just have to see that you have enough love for all of them ;)


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[Quakerella]

They are absolutely adorable. Grow very quickly. They are so fluffy and soft.

[kendrafitz]

Thanks. Jef fenced off a little chicken run for them at the back of the yard. Under a tree bc we have those darned hawks, so a little sun.

I took them out this morning and they had an absolute blast! Their Mommy was here so it was a lot of fun, neat for her to enjoy their first venture out.

I think they would have stayed out all day but hawks started circling so I loaded them up and brought them in. But they still got a little over an hour of dirt, grass and rocks. They are currently stuffing their beaks and settling in for a nap.

Will bring them out later as long as the sky is clear of predators. Can't stand them. They are the reason Rosie hates to come outside. Sigh.


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[kendrafitz]

The scene here before bed tonight. Rosie did not make a peep while monitoring from her stand. :)

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[PlaxMacaws]

Cute, Kendra. But please take care not to roll over on them (should you doze off)!

[kendrafitz]

Cute, Kendra. But please take care not to roll over on them (should you doze off)!

You can't tell but there's a hardwood floor under the blanket. No where near comfortable enough to fall asleep.

I get what you are saying though. I worry about moving my neck when they are under it in fear of squishing them.


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[kendrafitz]

Took the girls out for a couple hours today. They had a blast and didn't want to come in.


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[kendrafitz]

A few days ago our weed prevention guys came and sprayed our lawn. So that ended the play area under the tree in my back yard.

Since the littles as I call them love being out so much I built a play area for them. I got a pallet from our friends farm, some dirt from the home they are going to, some herbs, sod and sand and tada, outdoor ground for the girls. Then I just got some pvc and chicken wire and built an enclosure. It's small, only 4x4, but they are pretty small. If I end up working at the farmstand this year I figure I can bring the chicks and their enclosure bc it is nice and light. So it's a win, win.

I got a piece of ply board to put on top for security and shade (although they have an umbrella as well). So excited since they are secure I will be able to sit by the pool instead of sitting in their play yard the whole time they are out.

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[plax]

Very nice, Kendra. I never realized you were so handy when it comes to this sort of design and construction. I knew you were talented in other areas of design, including your awesome holiday cookies, your creative costumes, and various decorations. Your diversity is truly impressive. So how long do you think it will be before the chick girls grow out of their new pen? If memory serves, baby chickens become much larger fairly quickly.

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[Dragonlady2]

Awesome job Kendra! Very ingenious.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

That's an excellent play area, I hope they appreciate all the trouble you are going to. We don't use any weedkillers in our garden, otherwise there wouldn't be many plants. :)
Our 'lawn' is mainly clover and moss - nice and springy to walk on and the clover is in flower and attracting the bumble bees, meanwhile the skinny bees (don't know what they are called) are all over the marjoram flowers along the path.
The weather is lovely and Casper is spending lots of time in his Magnolia tree. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]!AiShclt2ghrmhDgJxPbKxK2eFHkD

[kendrafitz]

The weather is lovely and Casper is spending lots of time in his Magnolia tree. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]!AiShclt2ghrmhDgJxPbKxK2eFHkD

He looks like he is having a blast! I am so envious that Casper is able to enjoy himself outside. He is a very fortunate little man!!!


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[kendrafitz]

The play are was a success! The girls were out for about 5 hours and didn't want to come back in. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]


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[kendrafitz]

Very nice, Kendra. I never realized you were so handy when it comes to this sort of design and construction. I knew you were talented in other areas of design, including your awesome holiday cookies, your creative costumes, and various decorations. Your diversity is truly impressive. So how long do you think it will be before the chick girls grow out of their new pen? If memory serves, baby chickens become much larger fairly quickly.

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Thanks Tony. I am not really talented, just not afraid to take on projects. I was raised by a general contractor. So I learned from an early age how to do things myself. Plus, with YouTube you can learn how to do about anything. That is how I learned to do the cookies this fall. :) The rest of what you mentioned is nothing more than me being a 5 year old stuck in a 45 year olds body. Lol.

Well, I hope they will give me about a month before they grow out of it. Hopefully by then they will be big enough to move to their new home. These girls are going to be big, I think about 7 pounds. So we will see if that works out. If not I will figure something out. This is my first experience with chickens, so we are on a steep learning curve. :)


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[kendrafitz]

Awesome job Kendra! Very ingenious.

Thank you Helena! I am happy with it. I put the herbs in to try to deter flies but I'm not sure how well that will work.


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[Quakerella]

Love the play area Kendra, you did an amazing job. Lucky little chicks.:th_biggrin:

[kendrafitz]

The chicks are growing so quickly.

Yesterday Sammy, the biggest girl started practicing jumping.

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[Lady]

Wow, their pen is great! Very well done. They sure look happy, what lucky girls they are!

[Lady]

So it's been awhile since you had a chance to give us an update on those cute little chicks. How are things going with them? How big are they now? Does Rosie still act like their big sister :junglebird4:?

[kendrafitz]

I am so sorry, things have been crazier than normal and I haven't had a chance to check in.

The girls are doing very well. They are BIG now and friendly and chatty. I adore them. We had an incident with a hawk trying to attack them while they were outside in their dog crate a few weeks ago. So we thought it would be best to move them to their forever home which is safer. Fortunately they live about 2 miles away so I visit them regularly and bring them their egg yolk/herb/garlic/food mix to keep their immunity up. :)

Rosie enjoyed them while they were here but I think she is just as happy that they have moved on. :)

The biggest in their group is Ellie. She is a great flock leader, completely fearless. So fearless that she tried to go after the flock leader of the group of chickens she moved in with. Fortunately they were separated by wire bc the chicken she went after is 3 times her size. So ridiculous. She was actually jumping up and pecking at the other chickens face. (They are now all fine - no longer quarantined and living together peacefully. They pretty much stay in 2 separate flocks during the day but sleep together at night)

Anyway, right before they moved I had them running around the bathroom and I was on all fours on the floor cleaning. They all jumped on my back so I ended up just laying down. Which apparently annoyed the queen. She jumped down and then came back on me but let me know that what I did was not acceptable.

The whole thing was so ridiculous I took pics and a video. Here are a few:
5008
What? Isn't it normal to have chicks on your back while cleaning?
5009
Ellie visibly annoyed that Mom laid down.

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[PlaxMacaws]

I never would've believed it... Kendra lying on the bathroom floor getting repeatedly pecked in the eye by a chicken (and without a great deal of objection). Amazing! :th_eek:

Glad they're doing well :)

[kendrafitz]

Ha! She is no different from everyone else in my house. Bossing me around and letting me have it when I annoy them. Sigh.

I come off tough, but once you have my heart you can run all over me.

You should see what Rosie does to me on a daily basis! Lol


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[Lady]

Wow they surely appear fully grown! I had a hard time seeing her peck toward your eyes, I was cringing and holding my hand up to my left eye. Goodness your brave.
I'm glad to hear they are at their forever home. It's great that you can visit with them because they are so close. So now what will they be doing for their owners? Providing fresh eggs I assume. Will they breed them too?

[Dragonlady2]

I would find it very hard to part with them after raising them. Do they recognize/come to you when you visit them?

[kendrafitz]

I guess living with Rosie has desensitized me to being pecked. She pinches my neck all day. She also pinches my cheek when she gets excited and is kissing me. So compared to that beak, the chicks are nothing. Lol

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Here are 3 of the girls in the coop a week or so ago. They brought Rosie's old sand perch with them. :) They are actually much bigger now, it is crazy how fast they are growing.

They are living with one of my closest friends. The plan is to use them as egglayers along with the other 4 they got from some other friends. No plans for breeding. We are hoping all 8 are girls. Although one of the Americuana chickens is cock a doodle dooing several times a day.

They come running full speed as soon as I get near their free range area door. Then they follow me around, chatting. So cute. The fact that I bring yummy things to eat doesn't hurt either. My friend says they are very social and run to the door anytime she goes to visit them. Her other 4 are the opposite. They run and hide in the corner. But they will come over to get treats as well. From what I have read Speckled Sussex Chickens are super friendly, calm and curious.

I am currently making plans to redo their ranging area. I will be making grass and herb boxes and then we will figure what we are going to do with the ground in between.

It was hard letting them go. But when the hawk attacked it scared me. They are much better where they are. The plan is for me to help with them so I will see them several times a week at least.


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[Quakerella]

They grew so quickly.

I have to admit I was laughing quite hard watching the video. I was a little concerned about the eye, but you seemed to have it all under control.

You did wonderful with these little ones and they will probably never forget you.

[Mare]

So darn PRECIOUS!! Chickens are special, as are turkeys. Such a wonderful experience you've had! I'm actually thinking about raising a chicken or turkey as a pet, come springtime.

[kendrafitz]

So darn PRECIOUS!! Chickens are special, as are turkeys. Such a wonderful experience you've had! I'm actually thinking about raising a chicken or turkey as a pet, come springtime.

Mare, I saw your post on FB. I have been telling everyone that turkeys like hugs today. I had no clue. Just so cool.

If you are thinking chickens, the Silkies are supposed to be awesome pets. Mine are Speckled Sussex and they are great but they get big. The Silkies are smaller, so soft and super sweet!


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[Mare]

Yeah, Kendra, turkeys are awesome! Did you see that post of the pet chicken that joined his person on a private sailboat cruise halfway around the world? I keep hearing about what great pets they make...the only thing holding back is I know how much and how often they poop!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

A friend of ours used to have peacocks but was 'persuaded' by the rest of the village to have them rehomed as they were regularly crossing the road into the churchyard and messing up all the floral arrangements.

[Mare]

I've heard peacocks can be very aggressive, although beautiful. We have wild turkeys that come into our yard twice a day and after so many years of being disappointed at having no basil to make into pesto, we now plant thinking we'll feel thankful if they leave us anything!

[kendrafitz]

Yeah, Kendra, turkeys are awesome! Did you see that post of the pet chicken that joined his person on a private sailboat cruise halfway around the world? I keep hearing about what great pets they make...the only thing holding back is I know how much and how often they poop!

No, I will have to look that up. :)

So here's the thing about the poop. They are potty trainable. I was reading a few articles and threads on forums about it. I think it is more teaching them where you want them to poop than pooping on command. Also, you just need to learn their poop cues. For mine it is pretty much the same as Rosie. Fluff up, squat and go. I was going to potty train the girls but with four I felt like it was a losing battle.

I potty trained Rosie by accident. I just told her she pooped every time she did. One day I asked her to poop before I picked her up and to my shock she did.

If all else fails they make chicken diapers. So ridiculous!

But lots of people have "house" chickens that are potty trained. They do everything with their humans including watching tv. :)


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[Mare]

No, I will have to look that up. :)

So here's the thing about the poop. They are potty trainable. I was reading a few articles and threads on forums about it. I think it is more teaching them where you want them to poop than pooping on command. Also, you just need to learn their poop cues. For mine it is pretty much the same as Rosie. Fluff up, squat and go. I was going to potty train the girls but with four I felt like it was a losing battle.

I potty trained Rosie by accident. I just told her she pooped every time she did. One day I asked her to poop before I picked her up and to my shock she did.

If all else fails they make chicken diapers. So ridiculous!

But lots of people have "house" chickens that are potty trained. They do everything with their humans including watching tv. :)


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That is truly awesome! I think I will try! I don't know if you recall the turkey someone rehomed with us and then it got attacked by a dog..anyways, it was such a friendly joy to have around. They certainly have what it takes to be a part of our family.

[kendrafitz]

So, it looks like Ellie may be a boy. She has begun to crow.


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The little first and last crow is Ellie. The crow in the middle is Brownie, an older rooster.

Don’t mind the mess. We are in the process of decorating the coop so it is just awful at the moment.

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[kendrafitz]

Here are Snooki and Peanut sitting with me in the coop yesterday while I was taking a break. They remember me and tell me about the chicken gossip. Love them. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]


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[Lady]

So maybe his new name could be Elliot :th_smile:. They are quite cute all grown up. I'm sure they will like their new pen when your all finished.

[kendrafitz]

So maybe his new name could be Elliot :th_smile:. They are quite cute all grown up. I'm sure they will like their new pen when your all finished.

You know what’s funny? Her name IS Elliot, the kids named the chicks. So we made it Ellie It bc she was a girl. :)


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[kendrafitz]

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Planted some flowers today and have large river rock coming in the next few days. Will get some more flowering plants for the sides and then the outside will be done. Then we will start winterizing and figuring out the inside run.


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[Lady]

Lookin' good!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Wow that looks fantastic. Any rumblings from the neighbours about cockerels crowing at dawn?

[kendrafitz]

Wow that looks fantastic. Any rumblings from the neighbours about cockerels crowing at dawn?

None that I’ve heard of. My friend says she can’t hear them when she’s in the house. They have 5 acres, so hopefully they are far enough that the boys won’t disturb anyone.


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[mdg1109]

We used to have chickens at out old house because we were outside the city limits and I loved them. We all silkies and buff orpingtons, we actually hatched them in an incubator which was amazing to watch but when we sold the house and moved to a subdivision we had to rehome them with a friend of ours that has a farm. I miss them! They are super fun to watch and they get attached to you, and they are very independent which is quite different than parrots. Enjoy the chicks, they look adorable!

[kendrafitz]

We used to have chickens at out old house because we were outside the city limits and I loved them. We all silkies and buff orpingtons, we actually hatched them in an incubator which was amazing to watch but when we sold the house and moved to a subdivision we had to rehome them with a friend of ours that has a farm. I miss them! They are super fun to watch and they get attached to you, and they are very independent which is quite different than parrots. Enjoy the chicks, they look adorable!

Do you get to visit them?

We have 2 Silkies and 2 Americuanas as well as the 4 Speckled Sussex. The silkies aren’t super friendly but are much braver than the Americuanas. The silkie girls will come up to me to get treats without hesitating. They are really cute but their feathered feet get so yucky - they are white so it is really obvious.

I have been there every day this week doing landscaping. Every time I sit down in the coop Snooki and Peanut come and hop on my lap. So sweet, I love that they remember me and still want to be with me. All four will peck, chat, sit and lay next to me but those two just like to cuddle more I guess.

I agree about the independence thing. I find it so relaxing to be with them. They enjoy being with me but don’t NEED me. Which is a nice break. :)


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[mdg1109]

We do get to visit as it happens the farmer is my sons Godfather and not only do they have the chickens that we gave them but they already had a rooster so we get to see our "grandchicks". They also have peacocks but those things are mean and LOUD!

[kendrafitz]

We do get to visit as it happens the farmer is my sons Godfather and not only do they have the chickens that we gave them but they already had a rooster so we get to see our "grandchicks". They also have peacocks but those things are mean and LOUD!

That’s awesome!


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[luckyandjenn]

Thats awesome in about seven months providing they are all hens youll have eggs they are so much tastyer then store bought eggs i hatched another 6 this year im about to make a post to share them and yes theres little to no human care needed for chickens very resilent birds