An Update on My Peachick
So many of you comment on how much you enjoy hearing about the animals at my farm, especially when I show photos of the babies.
Earlier this month on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48, I shared images of a peachick hatching from its shell in my poultry incubator. I kept the peachick in my kitchen for a couple weeks where it could be closely monitored until it was big enough to join my flock of baby chickens in the coop. One of my Instagram followers suggested I put a small chick in with the baby peafowl to keep it company, so we did. I am happy to report that the peep and the peachick are now best of friends and doing very well.
Enjoy these photos, and be sure to follow me on Instagram @MarthaStewart48 for other fun pictures.
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- Here is the beautiful peachick in its safe enclosure on my kitchen counter just two days after it hatched. You can see it breaking through its shell on Instagram @MarthaStewart48.
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- And here is the chick we put in the bin to keep the peachick company. It didn’t take long before the two became good friends. The reddish tint to the photo is from the heat lamp suspended above the bin.
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- This week, we moved the two into the chicken coop “nursery”, or brooder, where they could socialize with the other peeps.
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- Our peachick is still a little small compared to the others in the coop, but it will catch up soon. The other chicks were also incubated and hatched in my kitchen.
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- Here are some of the older chicks gathered around and in the feeding dish. The chicks will be fed organic chick starter feed for the first six to eight weeks.
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- Right now, our peachick is still a bit shy, so it is waiting to eat at the feeder.
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- Dawa, who cares for all my chickens, turkeys, geese, peacocks, and pigeons, makes sure the peachick gets to eat all its meals. Baby chicks need constant monitoring until they are at least a month old. Dawa checks on them several times a day, and will continue to do so for the next few weeks.
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- Dawa guards the peachick as it eats his food. As soon as any chick is placed in the brooder, each baby is introduced to the waterer and feeder, so they know where to eat and drink. They are all familiar with waterers and feeders, but it is still a good practice to show them when they’re moved to new surroundings.
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- Most chicks are very curious birds. This chick watches and waits for its turn to eat.
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- And look, the peachick and his chicken friend are still together. A good chick starter feed will contain protein for weight gain and muscle development, plus vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and to build their immune systems.
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- In fact, the chick keeps watch over its smaller, younger buddy.
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- The chick follows closely behind its friend at all times – so cute.
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- These chicks are about a month older than the peachick. These chicks have several feeders and several waterers in the brooder.
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- Here they are at the feeding bowl. This type of feeder allows several chicks to eat at the same time.
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- These babies love to eat – they are very healthy and very alert. You can estimate that 10-chicks will consume about a pound of starter feed per day.
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- Our little duo is close by watching all the action. The chicks are very eager to explore their new surroundings – another sign of good health. Chickens and peafowl have their own personalities – some are more active or more curious than others.
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- Here is another chick heading toward the feeder. These chicks have such clear eyes and clean feathering.
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- It is important to keep the babies separated but within sight of the other chickens. We designate one coop for the youngest of the flock until they are old enough to socialize with the others. The heat lamps are suspended above the brooder. Raising and lowering them help adjust the temperature.
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- Here is one of the pullets, or young chicken hen, eating from the other side of the coop. Chickens start to lay eggs at about four or five months of age. A male chicken is called a cockerel until it is a year old – then it is called a rooster.
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- This pullet is called a Frizzle Naked Neck – an interesting breed combination.
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- Twice a day, early morning and late afternoon, the adult birds are given cracked corn. They also eat plenty of vegetables and fruit matter, and trays of wheatgrass that I grow especially for them in my greenhouse.
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- I have more than 180-chickens in my flock. Chickens prefer to roost on high levels. In their fenced enclosure, the chickens are provided ladders and natural roosts made out of felled trees. As you can see, my chickens are very happy birds.
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- Here is one of my roosters watching over his hens as they dine.
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- And here is a rooster keeping watch over the hens in this coop. Hanging feeders are filled with organic layer feed. It provides the hens with protein, which helps them lay strong and healthy eggs.
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- The flock enters the coops as it begins to grow dark. When all are inside, the doors are shut and securely latched until morning. One can’t be too safe when there are hungry raccoons and coyotes around. If you think you may be interested in raising chickens, research your town’s zoning regulations first.
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